Former Bihar Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Tuesday backed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the leadership of the INDIA Bloc.

Speaking to ANI in Patna, Lalu Yadav said, “Congress’s objection means nothing. We will support Mamata… Mamata Banerjee should be given the leadership (of the INDIA Bloc)… We will form the government again in 2025.”

His statement drew mixed reactions from across the political spectrum.

In Delhi, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi emphasized the need for unity in decision-making, saying, “There is no official statement from our party yet. I cannot say anything about it. Every party has their opinion. When the meeting takes place, whatever is decided unanimously will be acceptable to our party…”

TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee backed Lalu’s proposal. Criticizing the Congress leadership, he said, “We had earlier stated that Congress should understand that the INDIA bloc has failed under its leadership. It would be better if Mamata Didi is brought in as the leader of the INDIA Bloc. Out of all the leaders, Mamata Didi’s name is at the top when it comes to political fighting.”

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dismissed Lalu Yadav’s statement, questioning the unity within the INDIA Bloc. BJP MP Arun Govil said, “The members of the bloc can only answer this in a better way.” Similarly, BJP MP Dinesh Sharma said, “They (leaders of the INDIA Bloc) don’t consider anyone their leader; they consider themselves as the leader.”

Congress, a significant player in the INDIA Bloc, has yet to issue an official response to Lalu Yadav’s suggestion.

(ANI)