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  • February 18, 2025
Lalu Yadav says Mamata Banerjee should be allowed to lead the INDIA bloc

Lalu Yadav says Mamata Banerjee should be allowed to lead the INDIA bloc

Mamata Banerjee should lead the INDIA bloc: RJD's Lalu Yadav

Lalu Yada stated that Mamata Banerjee should be allowed to lead the INDIA bloc.

Patna:

RJD chief Lalu Yadav on Tuesday claimed that West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee would be allowed to lead the INDIA bloc.

His comments come days after Ms Banerjee expressed her intention to take charge of the anti-BJP coalition.

Mr Yadav also said that if the Congress, a key ally of the INDIA bloc, had any reservations in accepting Ms Banerjee as leader of the opposition front, it would “not make any difference”.

“Mamta Banerjee should be able to lead the INDIA bloc,” the RJD chief said.

Asked about Congress’s “reservation” to accept her as leader of the opposition bloc, Lalu said, “Congress opposition will not make any difference… She should be able to lead the INDIA bloc.” Earlier, Lalu’s son and senior RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had said he had “no objection to any senior leader from the INDIA bloc, including Banerjee, leading the coalition” but stressed that the decision should be taken through consensus.

Ms Banerjee had on December 6 expressed her dissatisfaction over the functioning of the INDIA bloc, signaling her intention to take charge of the alliance if given the opportunity.

The Trinamool Congress supremo said she could take on the dual responsibility of leading the Opposition front while continuing her role as West Bengal Chief Minister.

“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 in an interview with Bangladeshi news channel News 18 Bangla.

Asked about Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s proposed state-wide yatra from December 15, the RJD supremo said, “He is holding the state-wide yatra just to freshen his eyes. The RJD-led coalition will form the government in the state in 2025.” Kumar is all set to embark on the state-wide journey – ‘Mahila Samvad Yatra’ – from December 15 to assess the progress of the state government’s seven-resolution program and feel the pulse of the people through interaction with women.