In a major political shift within the INDIA bloc, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has signaled her willingness to support Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as the alliance’s Prime Minister face.
Speaking at the alliance meeting held at the Constitution Club, Banerjee reportedly said, “Congress can take the Prime Minister’s post. I have no ego on this issue, provided decisions are made through mutual consensus.”
Responding to her statement, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge reiterated that power is not the party’s primary objective. “Congress is not fighting for power or the Prime Minister’s post. Our fight is to save the country and its democracy,” Kharge stated.
Shift in TMC’s Stance
Political analysts view Banerjee’s concession as a notable departure from her earlier stance. During the initial formation of the INDIA alliance, the TMC had strongly advocated for Banerjee as the primary alternative face to Narendra Modi, citing her administrative experience and political trajectory. TMC leadership had previously questioned Gandhi’s leadership style and resisted Congress’s central role.
Commenting on the shift, West Bengal Congress leader Pradip Bhattacharya remarked, “Mamata Banerjee has realized that the Congress remains the most powerful force capable of uniting the opposition. Rahul Gandhi was the first to raise the pitch against electoral irregularities nationwide, and ultimately, TMC had to acknowledge that reality.”
Focus on Opposition Unity and Electoral Integrity
The meeting saw prominent opposition leaders addressing unity and regional dynamics. Drawing an example from Kerala, Rahul Gandhi noted that while Congress and the Left compete against each other at the state level, they remain united in New Delhi for the broader national mandate.
Addressing the situation in West Bengal regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, Banerjee labeled herself the “biggest sufferer” of electoral manipulation, highlighting a recent incident in South Kolkata where EVMs were damaged in a fire.
Support for her concerns came from regional allies:
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Tejashwi Yadav (RJD) backed Banerjee’s allegations regarding election process discrepancies.
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Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena – UBT) drew parallels between internal rifts in TMC and past disruptions within his own party.
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Omar Abdullah (NC) addressed the meeting for four minutes, detailing the political landscape in West Bengal.
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Harendra Malik (Samajwadi Party) emphasized that Congress must take the primary responsibility to further strengthen opposition unity.