Amid the ongoing internal power struggle within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), party supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said that the decision on her potential successor would be taken collectively by the party and not by her alone.
“I am not the party, we are the party. It is a collective family and decisions will be taken collectively,” Mamata Banerjee told news channel News18 Bangla in an interview on Friday.
She also dismissed rumors about her dominance in the TMC.
Her comments came amid the ongoing debate over the old guard, seen as loyal to Mamata, versus the next generation leaders, seen as closely related to Abhishek Banerjee.
Abhishek, the TMC national general secretary and Mamata's nephew, is more popular than any other party leader among party supporters.
The TMC party supremo also made it clear that the TMC is a disciplined party where no one can dictate terms or dominate over others.
“The party will decide what is best for the people. We have MLAs, MPs, booth workers, this is a joint effort,” she said.
Banerjee said, “Everyone (old and new generation leaders) is important. Today's newcomer will be tomorrow's veteran.”
Talking about political consultants, she said, “Some strategists create surveys at home and edit them later. They can arrange things, but they cannot bring voters. It is the booth workers who know the villages and people who actually win the elections.”
“They are like craftsmen who do their work in exchange for money. But elections are not won by them,” she added.
INDIA block
Speaking about the INDIA bloc alliance, Mamata Banerjee expressed her dissatisfaction over the functioning of the opposition bloc, signaling her intention to take charge of the alliance if given an opportunity.
The TMC supremo said she could take on the dual responsibility of leading the opposition front and at the same time continue her role as the chief minister of West Bengal.
“I had formed the INDIA bloc, now it's up to those leading the front to manage it. If they can't run the show, what can I do? I would just say everyone should be included,” she said .