Mon Dec 09 15:57:15 UTC 2024: ## Cracks Emerge in INDIA Bloc as Mamata Banerjee Emerges as Potential Leader

**NEW DELHI** – The INDIA opposition alliance is facing internal strife, with growing calls for West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to replace Rahul Gandhi as its leader. The discontent follows the Congress’s recent electoral setbacks in Haryana and Maharashtra and disagreements over parliamentary strategy.

Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad publicly endorsed Banerjee, highlighting her experience and the TMC’s success against the BJP in West Bengal. Banerjee herself has expressed willingness to lead the alliance, criticizing the Congress’s handling of the INDIA bloc. Her comments have been echoed by leaders from the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP(SP), who see her as a capable alternative. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav also expressed openness to Banerjee’s leadership, but stressed the need for consensus.

However, the Congress has firmly reiterated its support for Rahul Gandhi, emphasizing his role as the alliance’s leader and the party’s position as the “elder brother.” This stance contrasts sharply with the increasingly vocal dissent within the INDIA bloc, prompting BJP leaders to seize on the divisions.

The BJP has characterized the support for Banerjee as a sign of Rahul Gandhi’s perceived inadequacy, further highlighting the internal tensions within the opposition. The situation underscores the significant challenges facing the INDIA bloc as it navigates internal power struggles while attempting to present a united front against the ruling NDA.

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