Mamata Banerjee ready to take charge of INDIA Block; dissatisfaction over the functioning of the opposition alliance

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said that she is ready to take over the leadership of the India Block. This statement of Mamata is seen as bitterness with the Congress. In the Lok Sabha elections, the India alliance had given a tough challenge to the BJP-led NDA. But, after the defeat of the Congress in the recent assembly elections, the shine of the Lok Sabha results has faded.

In an interview given to News18 Bangla, Mamata said, "I had formed the India Block. Now the responsibility of handling it is on those who are leading it. If they cannot run it, what can I do? I will just say that everyone has to be taken along."

When asked whether she would take charge of the block? Mamata Banerjee said that if given a chance, I would ensure its smooth functioning. Amid differences in the opposition alliance India Block over the proceedings of Parliament, the statement of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee shows internal dissatisfaction over the way the opposition alliance is functioning.

Since the Lok Sabha elections, the Trinamool Congress has maintained a distance from the Congress and has not made any electoral alliance with the party. Mamata Banerjee indicated that she is ready to break away from the India Block if given the opportunity.

Mamata said that she wants to handle the India Block along with her responsibilities as CM. She said, "I do not want to go out of Bengal, but I can run it (India Block) from here."

The Congress, the largest party in the India Block, has refused to comment on the TMC chief's remarks. Before Mamata, the CPI has also expressed displeasure over the methods of the Congress. CPI General Secretary D Raja had said last week that the Left parties are not being accommodated in the seat-sharing of the India Alliance. D Raja has now said that he does not want to react to Mamata's statement but the Congress needs to introspect.