'Need To Discuss': RJD's Tejashwi Yadav Declines To Endorse TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee For INDI Alliance Leadership

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the main opposition party in Bihar, has refrained from taking a stance on West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mamata Banerjee's willingness to lead the INDI Alliance.

RJD leader and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav stated on Sunday (8 December) that the issue has not been discussed. "There have been no talks on the matter so far," he said in response to media queries.

He added that leadership decisions would be made collectively by senior alliance leaders during deliberations. "I don’t think there will be any objections to senior leaders heading the alliance," Yadav remarked.

RJD spokesperson Mritunjay Tiwari acknowledged Mamata Banerjee as a key figure in the alliance, lauding her efforts against the BJP and communal forces. He clarified, however, that the decision on leadership would be made collectively by bloc leaders. Tiwari also highlighted the significant role of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav in uniting non-BJP parties nationwide.

Political strategist Prashant Kishor commented on Banerjee's statement, noting that while she is a senior leader, the INDI Alliance’s leadership is yet to be formalised. "Currently, Congress leads the alliance by default as the largest party," he said.

JD(U) leader K C Tyagi expressed skepticism about the alliance's cohesion, suggesting that regional leaders are dissatisfied with Rahul Gandhi's leadership. He pointed out that such concerns had prompted JD(U) and Nitish Kumar to exit the alliance earlier, predicting that the bloc's lack of unity would hinder its future.

Political analyst Pramod Kumar suggested that the RJD might avoid endorsing Banerjee’s leadership to prevent friction with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, especially with Bihar's assembly elections on the horizon. "TMC has no significant support base in Bihar, and backing Banerjee could harm the RJD’s prospects in the state polls," he explained.

The ongoing debate over leadership within the INDI Alliance reflects the opposition bloc's challenges in maintaining unity as it gears up for the upcoming elections in Bihar and later in West Bengal.