Mamata Banerjee is not interested in any central leadership, says TMC leader Kunal Ghosh

Kolkata: TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said Mamata Banerjee is focused on developing a different platform to defeat the BJP and is not interested in any central leadership position.

Regarding the INDIA alliance, Ghosh emphasized that Banerjee wants to form a coalition that can oppose the BJP’s hegemony.

“I have stated unequivocally that Mamata Banerjee has no interest in any ‘chair’ in Delhi. She wants to create a different platform that can overthrow the BJP,” Ghosh stated. He went on to say that the TMC, led by Mamata Banerjee, had defeated the BJP in West Bengal, and that the JMM, led by Hemant Soren, had done the same in Jharkhand.

Ghosh went on to say that Congress has failed in places like Maharashtra and Haryana, where the party was supposed to be crucial in overthrowing the BJP. Senior leaders in the INDIA coalition are proposing Mamata Banerjee as the alliance’s face because of this, he claimed.

“Congress should do a self-analysis on why they failed in Haryana, Maharashtra, and Lok Sabha elections…” Ghosh stated.

Amid increasing talks about a shift in the alliance’s leadership, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee earlier in the day thanked the leaders who had supported her for a leadership position in the INDIA group. Speaking to a crowd in Purba Medinipur, the head of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) wished the leaders and their parties well, highlighting harmony and prosperity.

“All of the leaders who have honored me have my sincere gratitude. I hope they are all healthy. I hope they and their party are doing well.” I hope India is doing well,” she said.

Sharad Pawar, the president of the Nationalist Congress Party (SP), had previously stated that he supported Mamata Banerjee’s assumption of a leadership position within the INDIA bloc, stating, “Yes, certainly (she is capable of leading the alliance).” She is a well-known national leader… she is capable of that.”
“She sent responsible, obedient, and well-aware elected leaders to Parliament. She is therefore entitled to say so,” Pawar had continued.

Mamata Banerjee was also supported by former Bihar Chief Minister and Union Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav for the INDIA bloc’s leadership position. “Congress’ protest is pointless. Mamata will have our support. Mamata Banerjee ought to be appointed the INDIA Bloc’s leader. In 2025, we’ll reorganize the government,” he declared.

RJD chief Lalu came under fire from Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary for supporting Mamata Banerjee for an alliance leadership position. Lalu’s remarks, according to Chaudhary, were politically driven in anticipation of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

Elections in West Bengal are coming up. Lalu Prasad Yadav is attempting to draw attention to Mamata Banerjee for this reason. The BJP leader had told the media that Rahul Gandhi and she would both lose the 2026 elections.

In addition, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said that Mamata Banerjee’s leadership would help the INDIA bloc, which has suffered under Congress’ direction.

“Earlier, we stated that Congress needed to realize that the INDIA bloc had failed under its direction. Mamata Didi’s appointment as the INDIA bloc’s head will be beneficial. When it comes to fighting politically, Mamata Didi’s name is the most well-known among all the politicians, according to Kalyan Banerjee.