Support for Mamata Banerjee as INDIA leader grows as now Lalu backs her

The chorus for Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee as the leader of the Opposition INDIA bloc grew on Tuesday with Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo Lalu Yadav throwing his weight behind the West Bengal Chief Minister.

Lalu Yadav on Tuesday said Mamata should be given the leadership of the Opposition alliance.

Asked about Congress, which favours Rahul Gandhi over others to lead, Lalu said, "It does not matter what the Congress says, give it (the leadership) to Mamata (Congress ke kehne se nahi na hoga...Mamata ko do)."

Lalu Yadav also exuded confidence in the RJD and INDIA bloc victory in the 2025 Bihar elections and said the alliance would win.

On Chief Minister and JDU leader Nitish Kumar's claim that the NDA alliance would win 225 seats in the state, lalu quipped, "Unko kaho pehle apni aankh seken (let him first fix his eyes)."

Lalu is the second top Opposition leader to back Mamata's bid over INDIA alliance leadership.

The first was NCP SP president Sharad Pawar.

Leaders of TMC have now been openly demanding that Mamata should lead the Opposition.

Mamta had herself bid for the position saying she would be willing to lead if offered a chance.

The TMC has been skipping all Congress-led Opposition protests in Parliament also.

The TMC leaders privately question Congress’ decision to put up candidates against it in West Bengal.