Maharashtra effect: Mamata Banerjee to head INDIA bloc? Chorus grows as Opposition questions Rahul Gandhi’s leadership

The Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has said she was willing to accept the role as the leader of the INDIA bloc, a grouping of Opposition parties currently led by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. (File Photo: PTI)

The Congress is getting increasingly isolated in the once much-touted INDIA bloc following back-to-back defeats in Assembly elections in Haryana and Maharashtra and disagreements over its strategy to block the functioning of Parliament, leading to Opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress and the Shiv Sena (UBT), raising questions on the ability of Rahul Gandhi as the leader of the grouping.

On Monday, Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad said West Bengal Chief Minister mamata Banerjee had the ability to lead the INDIA bloc and that the TMC had effectively managed to keep the BJP at bay.

“She (Mamata) has significant experience and has herself mentioned that she played a key role in forming the INDIA alliance. She has also expressed her willingness to lead the alliance if given the opportunity. She has served as an MP and a Union Minister, and since 2011, she has been the Chief Minister of West Bengal. Also, Trinamool has a much better strike rate than the Congress when it comes to direct fights with the BJP,” Azad told News18.

The comments came days after Mamata’s stinging criticism of the Congress over its leadership of the INDIA bloc and said she was ready to accept its leadership if she was asked to.

"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…If given the opportunity I would ensure its smooth functioning. I don't want to go outside West Bengal, but I can run it from here," she said in an interview with News 18 Bangla on Friday.

Mamata’s remarks have found the backing of Congress’ alliance partners in the Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi said that Mamata is an integral part of the INDIA alliance and that her party would back her if she wants to take up greater responsibility in the alliance.

“She has put forward her statement because she has shown a successful model in West Bengal, where she has kept the BJP away from power and implemented good welfare schemes. Whenever the INDIA bloc meeting takes place, our senior leaders will together take a decision (on leadership),” Chaturvedi said.

The remarks by the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader mirrored what NCP(SP) president Sharad Pawar said a day ago. Pawar said on Saturday that the Trinamool chief was a capable leader and has the right to show her intent to head the opposition alliance. “The MPs she has sent to Parliament are hardworking and aware.”

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav also said that his party would have no objections to Mamata assuming the role as the head of the INDIA bloc, but stressed that the decision be arrived at only through consensus.

“We have no issue with Mamata Banerjee leading the bloc, but keeping in mind there are so many senior politicians in the anti-BJP coalition, there's a need to sit together and take a collective decision on choosing a leader,” he said.

The Congress, meanwhile, sought to reaffirm Rahul’s position as the leader of the alliance and that of the party as the “elder brother” in the alliance.

Congress party was in the role of the elder brother in the INDIA allianc and will always remain so. Rahul Gandhi was our leader and will remain so. The way he worked to unite the country from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, Manipur to Maharashtra, he has that capability," Congress' UP chief Ajay Rai told ANI on Sunday.

Amid rising voices of discontent within the INDIA bloc over Rahul's leadership, NDA leaders sought to take a jibe at the grouping and said that the backing for Mamata was a message to the Congress on Rahul’s leadership.

“Is Sharad Pawar’s support for Mamata Banerjee to lead the INDIA bloc an indirect message that Rahul Gandhi is incapable with his leadership skills? Is Mr. Gandhi or the Congress party unable to lead the Opposition alliance? Only time will tell what is on his [Sharad Pawar’s] mind,” BJP leader Pravin Darekar said on Sunday.

Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande also referred to Banerjee as the “captain of a sinking ship”. “In INDI Alliance, leaders are in a competition to lead. Earlier, there was Uddhav Thackeray who wanted to lead but his plans were not successful. Nana Patole’s attempts to be the CM face did not work out. Being a senior leader, Sharad Pawar has everyone’s respect. Now suddenly, we have Mamata Banerjee who is dreaming of a leadership post in a sinking ship. Well, if she wishes, so be it. Let her be the captain of a sinking ship. She has our best wishes,” Kayande said.