Mamata Banerjee Reshapes INDIA Alliance, Promises “External Support”
Credit: NDTV News
15.05.2024: Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of Bengal, has taken a decisive step regarding the INDIA alliance, indicating her willingness to offer “external support” to the Opposition group should they assume power post the general election.
The political scenario in Kolkata has witnessed a thaw in Mamata Banerjee’s stance towards the INDIA alliance. Initially, she had put her membership on hold due to disagreements with the Congress over seat allocation. However, her recent statement signals a shift in her approach, as she expressed readiness to extend support to the Opposition alliance if they secure victory in the upcoming election.
In her address, Mamata Banerjee affirmed, “We will take the lead in the INDIA alliance and extend our support from the outside. Our objective is to establish a government that ensures the well-being of the women and families in Bengal, and provides seamless assistance to those engaged in the 100-days-job scheme.”
Clarifying her stance on the INDIA bloc, Mamata Banerjee explicitly excluded the CPM and the Bengal Congress, particularly highlighting her discord with Adhir Chowdhury, a senior Congress leader and her arch-rival. She emphasized that the INDIA alliance, as per her definition, excludes these factions and solely focuses on the national level, particularly Delhi.
Mamata Banerjee’s strategic move comes amidst the ongoing elections across the country. With a significant portion of seats already contested, the remaining rounds of voting, including those in Bengal, hold considerable importance. The BJP, having consolidated its position in the Hindi heartland, is now eyeing gains in the southern states and Bengal to compensate for any shortfall in seats.
As the election progresses amid the sweltering summer, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have intensified their campaign efforts in Bengal, recognizing the state’s substantial share of 42 Lok Sabha seats.