Amid recent electoral setbacks in Haryana and Maharashtra, the I.N.D.I.A. alliance (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) faces a growing rift, sparked by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s explicit suggestion to take charge of the opposition bloc. Banerjee, a founding member of the INDIA alliance, expressed her dissatisfaction with the alliance’s current leadership and indicated her willingness to step up if the existing leaders are unable to manage the bloc effectively. This has led to a clash of opinions within the opposition ranks, particularly with the Congress party.

In response to Mamata Banerjee's remarks, Congress leaders, including Manikam Tagore and Udit Raj, rejected the idea of any leadership change within the alliance. Tagore dismissed Banerjee’s suggestion as a “good joke,” while Raj questioned Banerjee’s national appeal, citing her party's limited success outside West Bengal. Raj’s comments reflect the Congress’s stance that leadership should remain within the current framework. Rajesh Thakur, another Congress leader, emphasized that Banerjee’s comments were made in response to a media question and were not part of any formal discussion within the INDIA bloc.

However, Banerjee’s desire for a larger role in the opposition alliance has garnered support from several opposition leaders. NCP’s Supriya Sule expressed the party’s willingness to back Banerjee’s leadership, saying they would be happy if she took more responsibility. Similarly, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut indicated support for Banerjee, highlighting her integral role in the alliance and her contribution to defeating the BJP in Bengal. Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party also lent its support, with spokesperson Udaiveer Singh noting that Banerjee’s leadership could strengthen the alliance, given her significant role in combating BJP’s influence in Bengal.

The rift within the INDIA bloc deepened further as JDU’s KC Tyagi commented on the division in leadership across different states, noting that leaders like Akhilesh Yadav in Uttar Pradesh, Banerjee in West Bengal, and Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi are all leading fronts in their respective states, while Congress tries to assert itself without substantial electoral victories.

The BJP has seized on the opposition's internal divisions. BJP leader Locket Chatterjee claimed that Congress’s diminishing political presence is pushing Mamata Banerjee to take center stage. National General Secretary Tarun Chugh also criticized the alliance, suggesting it has been weakened by infighting and the political liability of Rahul Gandhi.

In her remarks, Banerjee emphasized that while she did not seek leadership, she was ready to take the reins if the current leadership failed to manage the bloc effectively. She remarked, “I had formed the INDIA bloc, now it is up to those leading the front to manage it. If they can't run the show, what can I do? I would just say that everyone needs to be taken along.”

The current friction within the INDIA alliance highlights the challenges the opposition faces in uniting against the BJP in the upcoming 2024 national elections. With no clear consensus on leadership, the alliance’s effectiveness will likely be tested as the elections draw near.

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