Lalu Prasad Yadav Backs Mamata Banerjee for INDIA Bloc Leadership

RJD leader and former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav has thrown his support behind Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee to lead the opposition INDIA bloc, dismissing Congress's objections. “We will support Mamata... She should be given the leadership of the INDIA bloc,” Yadav stated on December 10.

Yadav’s endorsement comes after the Trinamool Congress intensified its push for Banerjee’s leadership, with MP Kirti Azad calling her the most suitable candidate due to her consistent victories over the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal.

Banerjee, who has expressed interest in heading the alliance, also emphasized her readiness to lead. “If given the opportunity, I would ensure its smooth functioning. I don’t want to go outside West Bengal, but I can run it from here,” Banerjee said in an interview on December 6.

The leadership question has gained prominence following the opposition bloc’s electoral setbacks. While many in the alliance, including NCP's Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, have expressed support for Banerjee’s leadership, a formal decision is yet to be made.

This isn’t the first time Lalu Yadav has backed Banerjee. In a 2023 INDIA bloc meeting ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Yadav criticized Left and Congress leaders in West Bengal for their continuous criticism of the TMC leader.

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