RJD's Lalu Prasad backs Mamata Banerjee for INDIA bloc leadership, alliance leaders react
Hindustan TimesAfter West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee expressed her willingness to lead the Opposition's INDIA bloc, several alliance leaders have backed her. Asked about the Congress' “reservation” to accept her as the opposition bloc leader, Lalu Prasad said, “The Congress’s opposition will not make any difference…She should be allowed to lead the INDIA bloc.” Earlier, Lalu Prasad's son and senior RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had said he had “no objection to any senior leader of the INDIA bloc, including Banerjee, leading the coalition”, but stressed that the decision must be reached through consensus. Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said Mamata Banerjee's offer to lead the INDIA alliance is important, recognising her past contributions. BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh on Saturday slammed the INDIA bloc for lacking coherence and being burdened by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, following West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's expression of willingness to lead the opposition alliance.