More INDIA leaders back Mamata Banerjee, a leadership crisis likely

New Delhi: RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav on Tuesday triggered conversation surrounding the leadership of Opposition’s INDIA bloc by backing Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee for the post.

The veteran leader said that the Congress' objection to the change of the guard ‘means nothing’, according to NDTV.

‘Congress's objection means nothing. We will support Mamata... Mamata Banerjee should be given the leadership (of the INDIA Bloc),’ the veteran leader was quoted as saying.

It all began when Mamata Banerjee earlier this month expressed willingness to taking charge, pointing out that ‘everyone needs to be taken along’ in INDIA bloc’s move against Modi regime.

Back then she said ‘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.’

Mamata Banerjee’s remarks came against the backdrop of the emerging difference in the Opposition camp over devising strategies to corner the Modi government in parliament during the Winter Session.

The Congress, led by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, caused frequent adjournments of the house, demanding a discussion on the Adani indictment issue.

However, the Trinamool insisted the House function to raise issues such as price rise, unemployment and the Manipur unrest.

Meanwhile, MPs of the Trinamool and Samajwadi Party were conspicuously not present during protest over the Adani issue.

The Congress emerged as the major voice of the Opposition after winning 99 seats, double as many it had gained in 2019, in the Lok Sabha polls.

However, the party suffered setbacks in assembly polls in Haryana and Maharashtra.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut earlier calling for making Banerjee a major partner of the INDIA bloc, saying that ‘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’.

NCP founder Sharad Pawar threw his weight behind Mamata Banerjee saying that ‘She is a prominent leader of this nation... she has that capability’.

The INDIA bloc was formed last year as part of a strategy by the Opposition parties to become a united force to take on the BJP.