Mamata Banerjee backs Rahul Gandhi as opposition leaders seek unity

Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee endorsed Rahul Gandhi as a possible prime ministerial face for India’s opposition alliance during an INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi, according to leaders present. Banerjee told the gathering that she would have no objection if Gandhi became prime minister. She also stressed the need for opposition parties to work together and said she was willing to contribute as an ordinary worker, according to accounts of the meeting.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge responded with a caution that the meeting was not intended to decide leadership positions. He said the immediate objective was to unite against what opposition parties describe as challenges facing the country and its democratic institutions. The discussion was marked by efforts to accommodate proposals from different parties.

Leaders accepted suggestions for a collective representation to the president, for taking the campaign against alleged “vote theft” beyond Delhi and other major cities, and for legally challenging legislation concerning the appointment and terms of election commissioners. Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav proposed that the alliance speak with one voice and appoint designated spokespersons. The bloc also agreed to form a subcommittee to take day-to-day decisions.

Gandhi, speaking near the end of the deliberations and later at a joint press conference, called for collective action and cooperation. He said Congress was prepared to work with humility alongside its partners and described the alliance as having a responsibility to defend India’s constitutional institutions. The meeting followed an earlier gathering in June that participants described as less accommodating.

Opposition leaders said they planned to intensify their campaign against the government in the coming months, but the meeting did not formally settle the alliance’s leadership question.