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Banerjee expressed her willingness to handle the dual responsibility of managing the opposition front while continuing to lead West Bengal
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. (PTI file photo)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday voiced dissatisfaction with the current functioning of the opposition INDIA bloc, suggesting that she could take the charge of the alliance if given the chance.
Banerjee, the leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), expressed her willingness to handle the dual responsibility of managing the opposition front while continuing to lead West Bengal.
In an interview with Bengali news channel News 18 Bangla, Banerjee stated, “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.”
Banerjee, who has emerged as a strong anti-BJP figure, was questioned about her reluctance to assume a leadership role within the bloc. She responded, “If given the opportunity, I would ensure its smooth functioning. I don’t want to go outside Bengal, but I can run it from here.”
The INDIA bloc, formed as a collective opposition against the BJP, consists of more than two dozen parties. However, it has faced criticism for internal divisions and a lack of coordination.
Banerjee’s comments come days after her party MP, Kalyan Banerjee, called on Congress and other members of the opposition alliance to set aside their egos and recognise Banerjee as the natural leader of the bloc.
While Congress has traditionally been viewed as the largest party in the INDIA bloc, Banerjee’s TMC has consistently advocated for her to take the reins of the alliance, arguing that her leadership could better challenge the BJP.
(With inputs from PTI)
