Congress’s guarded response after Mamata’s ‘ready to lead INDIA bloc’ remark

Congress’s guarded response after Mamata’s ‘ready to lead INDIA bloc’ remark

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee expressed her willingness to lead the opposition alliance if given a chance.

Amid reports of serious differences among the INDIA bloc constituents, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed her willingness to lead the alliance, if given a chance.

"I had formed the INDIA bloc, now it is up to those leading the front to manage it. If they can't run the show, what can I do? I would just say that everyone needs to be taken along," she said in an interview to a Bengali TV channel on Friday.

Banerjee’s remarks came at a time when several allies of the bloc have raised questions about the future of the bloc and urged the Congress to do a serious introspection in the wake of recent electoral drubbing.

The Trinamool Congress chief said she can perform the dual role of leading the opposition bloc while being the chief minister of West Bengal.

"If given an opportunity I would ensure its smooth functioning,” she said.

Fissures emerged in the opposition alliance after the Maharashtra elections in which the Maha Vikas Aghadi faced a humiliating defeat and managed to win only 46 seats in the 288-member assembly.

Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee recently called on the Congress and other INDIA bloc parties to shed their ego and recognise Mamata Banerjee as the leader of the alliance.

As the chief minister’s latest remarks set the tongues wagging in the political circles, the TMC denied that she had sought leadership for personal ambition.

“Mamata Banerjee is not interested in a chair in Delhi. If the INDIA bloc demands her leadership, she will do so from Kolkata only," TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said.

The Congress, the largest party in the bloc, gave a guarded response, saying leadership decisions in a coalition require agreement and consultation among all members.

“The bloc will collectively decide who will lead, who will be the convener, or if there will be a chairperson, who that person will be. It's natural for leaders to aspire to lead, but such decisions are not about individual ambitions," Congress leader Rashid Alvi told news agency ANI.

Other Congress leaders like Tariq Anwar and Tanuj Punia also echoed the same opinion. “If Mamata Banerjee has suggestions, they should be presented for discussion among all member parties, and decisions will be taken accordingly," said Punia.

The Samajwadi Party said it will support if the INDIA bloc parties decides to name Banerjee as the alliance leader.

"She is a senior leader, she has a lot of experience...she is capable. Our party's relationship with her is good and we have trust in her leadership. INDIA bloc leaders together need to decide what needs to be done...if such a decision is taken, we will support it,” SP leader Udaiveer Singh said.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) said it will hold talks with Banerjee in Kolkata soon. "We know this opinion of Mamata ji. We also want her to be a major partner of the INDIA alliance. Whether it is Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal or Shiv Sena, we are all together. We will soon go to talk to Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata,” party MP sanjay Raut said.

Nationalist Congress Party-SP leader Supriya Sule said they would be happy if Banerjee wanted to take more responsibility.

"Mamata Banerjee is absolutely an integral part of the INDIA alliance. In a vibrant democracy, the opposition has a big role and responsibility, so if she wants to take more responsibility, we will be very happy,” Sule said.