NEW DELHI: A day after West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee expressed her willingness to lead the INDIA bloc if asked to do so, Congress’ silence was conspicuous as its top brass chose to steer clear of making any official statement on her remarks.
However, party sources said Congress veterans see no reason to respond to what they see as “mere posturing” by Banerjee to project herself as a national leader amid challenges faced by her within her own party, the All India Trinamool Congress, on her home turf.
Her remarks were seen as her way of sending out a message to her own party and impressing upon them that she wields influence beyond Bengal. The political grapevine is abuzz that there are differences brewing between the CM and her nephew and MP Abhishek Banerjee.
Also, Congress is not an ally of TMC in Bengal, hence, there is no direct threat in the state either.