Calcutta:
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, much sought after to lead the INDIA bloc, today thanked all those who supported her; veteran leader Lalu Yadav was the latest voice to join the choir yesterday. Ms Banerjee thanked everyone for the “respect” they have shown her, but did not elaborate.
'I am grateful to everyone for the respect the leaders have shown me. I am grateful to everyone. I pray for everyone's good health. I want them to do well and their parties to do well. I want INDIA to do well. I do, but today I want to wish everyone on behalf of our Jagannath temple,” she said.
Ms Banerjee also took the opportunity to speak out against the BJP-led government. “Not a single Indo-Bangladesh border has been closed. If it had been closed we would have had instructions. We have no such instructions. This is a matter that falls squarely within the purview of the Indian government and we want them to protect minorities,” she said. said.
The leaders of the parties comprising the INDIA alliance are expected to meet after the ongoing session of Parliament. It will be the first after the Lok Sabha elections and also after the Congress' major election losses in Haryana and Maharashtra.
It is this reversal of Congress's fortunes that has led to calls for Mamata Banerjee to don the mantle of leadership. One of the first to give voice to the demand was Priyanka Chaturvedi of Shiv Sena UBT.
“Since she has shown a successful model in West Bengal, where she has kept the BJP out of power and implemented good welfare schemes…her election experience and fighting spirit, she has shared her interest accordingly. Whenever the INDIA bloc meeting takes place, our senior leaders will take a decision together,” she had said.
Her party colleague Sanjay Raut also made it clear that she wants Ms Banerjee to play a key role. “We want her to be a key partner of the INDIA alliance… We will be talking to Mamata Banerjee in Calcutta soon,” he had said.
Veteran politician and NCP founder Sharad Pawar agreed that she is capable of leading the alliance. “She is a prominent leader of this nation…she has that capacity. The elected leaders she has sent to Parliament are responsible, dutiful and conscious people. Therefore, she has the right to say that,” Mr Pawar had said. .
“We will support Mamata… Mamata Banerjee should be given the leadership (of the INDIA Bloc),” Lalu Yadav said yesterday.
