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As the demand for Mamata Banerjee to take over the NDIA bloc leadership continued within the opposition alliance, Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday stated that any efforts to strengthen the INDIA bloc should be considered.
His remarks came after former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Yadav said that Mamata Banerjee should be allowed to lead the INDIA bloc. Speaking to ANI, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said, "If some of our allies, be it TMC, Lalu ji, or Akhilesh ji, have a different opinion about the INDIA alliance...we all have formed the INDIA alliance together. If someone wants to say something new and wants to strengthen the INDIA bloc, then it should be considered." Raut further urged Congress to join the discussion. "Congress should join the discussion and put forward its point." However, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader clarified that he has no intention to raise questions about Rahul Gandhi's leadership. "No one is questioning Rahul Gandhi's leadership...he is the leader of all of us," Raut stated. Former Bihar Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has stirred a political storm with his remarks backing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the leadership of the INDIA Bloc. Speaking to ANI in Patna, Lalu Yadav said, "Congress's objection means nothing. We will support Mamata. Mamata Banerjee should be given the leadership (of the INDIA Bloc). We will form the government again in 2025." His statement has drawn mixed reactions from across the political spectrum. Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee claimed that the INDIA bloc has failed under Congress leadership and suggested that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee take charge of the alliance. Speaking to ANI, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said, "We had said earlier that Congress should understand that the INDIA bloc has failed under its leadership. It will be good if Mamata Didi is brought in for leadership (of the INDIA bloc). Out of all the leaders, Mamata Didi's name is on top when it comes to fighting politically." Congress, a significant part of the INDIA Bloc, has yet to issue an official response to Lalu Yadav's suggestion, fuelling speculation about internal rifts. As the INDIA Bloc continues to grapple with leadership questions, Lalu Yadav's endorsement of Mamata Banerjee is likely to further ignite debate within the alliance, setting the stage for critical deliberations in the coming months. (ANI)
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