PM candidate of INDIA bloc to be decided after elections: Mamata Banerjee

She expressed confidence that an between the TMC, the Congress, and the Left is possible in West Bengal.

ByPTI

Published Dec 18, 2023 | 6:52 PMUpdatedDec 18, 2023 | 6:52 PM

INDIA bloc PM Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday, 18 December, said the INDIA bloc’s prime ministerial candidate will be decided after the 2024 general elections and expressed confidence that the alliance will iron out all issues including over seat-sharing and defeat the BJP.

She also dismissed suggestions that the alliance has lost time in putting things in order, saying “It is better late than never”. She expressed confidence that a three-way alliance is very much possible in West Bengal between her TMC, the Congress, and the Left.

Also Read: INDIA bloc’s immediate task is to win 2024 elections: P Chidambaram

‘BJP is weak’

“The BJP is not strong, we are weak. We need to work together to overcome it,” Banerjee told reporters in reply to a question on the BJP’s rising influence, especially in the Hindi belt.

She also said she doesn’t discriminate between the Hindi belt and other regions.

On the suspension of Opposition MPs in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Banerjee said it shows the BJP is afraid. “Do you think they (the BJP) became so arrogant because they won two states…They’re afraid so they suspended”.

“Even with such majority, they’re scared… The voice of people has been choked. They can suspend the whole House. They have no moral ground to run the House… It is a mockery of democracy,” she said.

The TMC boss asserted her full support to expelled party MP Mahua Moitra and said the parliamentary party will decide on her Krishnanagar seat.

She also made light of the BJP’s assertion that PM Modi will return for a third term, saying 2024 is not a done deal.

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