Less than a month after the opposition parties met in Bengaluru to form the I.N.D.I.A. alliance for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, cracks have emerged. The Trinamool Congress has taken the initiative by proposing party chief Mamata Banerjee as “the ideal PM” face.
Senior party figures have urged their “digital warriors” to propagate the slogan “Bolche Banglar jonota, Pradhanmantri hok Mamata (The people of Bengal want Mamata as PM).”
The Trinamool Congress’s move has garnered mixed reactions. While some TMC members privately express reservations, the Congress Party has dismissed it as a “desperate attempt” by Banerjee to remain relevant.
TMC officials, voicing concerns in private, suggested that it’s premature to put forward a Prime Ministerial candidate. They believe this could estrange other parties, notably other regional factions with their own strong leaders.
The underlying concern is the potential repercussions if Banerjee doesn’t clinch the election. Such an outcome might tarnish the TMC’s reputation, hampering its chances in subsequent West Bengal elections.
The Congress Party didn’t waste time in criticizing the TMC. Pradip Bhattacharya, a seasoned Rajya Sabha MP, commented, “The Congress is the sole party poised to vanquish the BJP in the 2024 elections. Banerjee should concentrate on West Bengal rather than aspiring for the PM position.”
Conversely, in Hyderabad, AIMIM leader and MP Asaduddin Owaisi lauded Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao as “worthy” of the Prime Ministerial candidacy for the upcoming general elections.
Biswanath Chakraborty, a political observer and professor, remarked, “The TMC’s decision to endorse Banerjee as its PM candidate is audacious, yet fraught with risk. It’s uncertain whether the party will rally behind her or if she can secure the backing of other regional parties. The Congress’s criticism is bound to further polarize the political scenario in India. The reactions of other regional parties are keenly anticipated. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections might be two years off, but the dynamics have definitely shifted.”
Trinamool Congress’s chief spokesperson, Kunal Ghosh, stated, “It’s high time Mamata is recognized as the potential next PM. Her humble persona, combined with her tireless endeavors, will be a key selling point during the campaign.”