Mumbai, December 8: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday endorsed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s leadership potential, calling her a prominent national leader with capable party representatives in Parliament. His comments come amid growing discussions about her suitability to lead the opposition’s INDIA alliance.
Acknowledging Banerjee’s political stature, Pawar stated, “Yes, certainly, she is capable of leading the alliance. She is a prominent leader of this nation… The leaders she sends to Parliament are responsible, aware, and competent. She has every right to make such a claim.”
Mixed Reactions from Political Leaders
Responding to Pawar’s endorsement, BJP MP Ravi Kishan remarked, “If Mamata Banerjee feels so, she should take the leadership. However, her party has already disintegrated. These are opportunists coming together during elections but stepping back afterward.”
Senior Congress leader TS Singh Deo maintained that any decision regarding Banerjee’s role within the INDIA alliance would require collective deliberation. “Mamata is a member of the INDIA alliance. Decisions will naturally involve discussions among all alliance members,” he stated.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut also voiced support for Banerjee, emphasizing her importance to the alliance. “We want Mamata ji to be a major partner of the INDIA bloc. Whether it is Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, or Shiv Sena, we are all together. We will soon meet her in Kolkata to discuss further,” Raut announced.
Support for Mamata Grows
TMC leaders have been rallying behind Banerjee’s leadership in light of Congress’ recent electoral setbacks. Congress MP Kirti Azad highlighted Banerjee’s undefeated track record against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in West Bengal, stating, “Whenever Modi faced a humiliating defeat, it was in West Bengal, thanks to Mamata. She is a senior leader with articulate views who takes everyone along.”
On November 26, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee stressed the need for a strong, unified leader for the INDIA bloc, pointing to Congress’ underperformance in Maharashtra and Haryana assembly polls. “To strengthen the INDIA alliance and effectively challenge the BJP, we need a decisive leader. Congress has tried and failed. It’s time for a fresh approach,” he argued.
Looking Ahead
As discussions about the INDIA alliance’s leadership intensify, Mamata Banerjee continues to garner support from various opposition leaders. Whether this growing consensus will lead to a definitive decision remains to be seen, but her prominence as a national leader is firmly established.