New Delhi: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed her gratitude to leaders backing her for the role of INDIA bloc chief. Among her supporters is veteran politician Lalu Prasad Yadav, who joined the chorus on Tuesday.
“I am grateful to all the leaders who have honoured me. I wish good health to all of them. May they and their parties be well. May India be well,” Ms Banerjee said during an address in Bengal’s Purba Medinipur, stopping short of commenting on the possibility of taking up the leadership mantle.
What is fueling the leadership change speculations?
The speculation surrounding Mamata’s potential leadership comes in the wake of the Congress’s recent electoral setbacks in Haryana and Maharashtra. Leaders within the INDIA bloc, including Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi and NCP(SP) leader Sharad Pawar, have expressed their confidence in the Bengal CM’s capabilities.
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Priyanka Chaturvedi highlighted Ms Banerjee’s success in West Bengal, where she has implemented welfare schemes and effectively countered the BJP. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut echoed similar sentiments. “We want her to be a major partner of the INDIA alliance. We will soon visit Kolkata to discuss this with her,” he said while talking to reporters.
Sharad Pawar too praises Mamata’s leadership
Earlier this week, Pawar also praised Mamata’s leadership, citing her experience and the competence of her party’s elected representatives in Parliament. “She is a prominent national leader with the capability to lead,” Mr Pawar affirmed.
Adding his voice to the growing support, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Tuesday said, “We will support Mamata… Mamata Banerjee should be given the leadership of the INDIA bloc.”
On Tuesday night, an apparent meeting in this regard took place at the Delhi residence of Sharad Pawar. AAP chief Aravind Kejriwal along with senior party leader Sanjay Singh attended the meeting. Two senior Congress leaders also attended the meet fueling the speculation further.
