‘No problem if someone else leads’: Mamata Banerjee on Oppn face for 2024 polls

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday remained non-committal when requested if she can be the face of the Opposition to tackle the ruling BJP within the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
“I am not a political astrologer. It depends on the situation, structure. I have no problem if someone else leads. When the matter is discussed we can decide. I cannot impose,” Banerjee instructed reporters amid a number of indicators of accelerating Opposition unity.
On the management problem, she mentioned: “I want to help all the opposition parties to bell the cat. I don’t want to be a leader, but a simple cadre.”

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi with West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. (Express picture)
The TMC supremo met Congress president Sonia Gandhi later within the day and is anticipated to satisfy Aam Aadmi Party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. On Tuesday, she had met Congress leaders Anand Sharma and Kamal Nath earlier than assembly Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“I maintain good relations with most of the chief ministers, including Jagan Mohan Reddy (Andhra Pradesh), Naveen Patnaik (Odisha), and Stalin (Tamil Nadu),” she mentioned. “After Parliament session, there will be talks, there should be a common platform to work together,” she instructed reporters, including that she can be speaking to all events.
“I want to see sachcha din, bahut acha din dekh liya (I want to see truthful days, we have seen enough ‘good days’)” Banerjee quipped whereas taking potshots on the BJP’s ballot slogan.

Speaking concerning the Pegasus snooping row, which has stalled Parliament proceedings a number of occasions because the Opposition leaders proceed to protest in opposition to the alleged surveillance, the West Bengal CM mentioned, “The Centre should have taken suo moto move to have a probe into the allegations. In a democracy, you need to respond. The situation is very bad, worse than Emergency.”
On Tuesday, Banerjee had met PM Modi and said that he ought to convene an all-party meet to debate the Pegasus problem and determine on a Supreme Court-led probe.
Meanwhile, Opposition leaders held a gathering each on Tuesday and Wednesday and determined to chalk out the long run plan of action on a number of points in each the Houses, together with the Pegasus row, farm legal guidelines and worth rise. Sources within the Opposition camp have additionally claimed that the federal government aspect had indicated that it was prepared for a dialogue on any topic, barring the Pegasus revelations.
— With inputs from PTI