Mahayuti terms Rahul Gandhi ‘incapable’ of leading INDIA bloc

Sharad Pawar supports Mamata Banerjee to lead INDIA bloc, raising questions about Rahul Gandhi's leadership skills.

After Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP) chief Sharad Pawar acknowledged West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee’s willingness to lead the INDIA bloc, leaders of Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti alliance took potshots at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and questioned his leadership skills.   

“Is Sharad Pawar’s support for Mamata Banerjee to lead the INDIA bloc an indirect message that Rahul Gandhi is incapable with his leadership skills? Is Mr. Gandhi or the Congress party unable to lead the Opposition alliance? Only time will tell what is on his [Sharad Pawar’s] mind,” Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pravin Darekar said on Sunday (December 8, 2024).  

Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande referred to Ms. Banerjee as the “captain of a sinking ship”. “In INDI Alliance, leaders are in a competition to lead. Earlier, there was Uddhav Thackeray who wanted to lead but his plans were not successful. Nana Patole’s attempts to be the Chief Minister’s face did not work out. Being a senior leader, Sharad Pawar has everyone’s respect. Now suddenly, we have Mamata Banerjee who is dreaming of a leadership post in a sinking ship. Well, if she wishes, so be it. Let her be the captain of a sinking ship. She has our best wishes,” Mr. Kayande said.

NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule said that the Opposition would benefit if Ms. Banerjee took on important roles in the alliance. “Mamata Banerjee is absolutely an integral part of the INDIA alliance. In a vibrant democracy, the Opposition has a big role and responsibility, so if she wants to take more responsibility, we will be very happy,” Ms. Sule said. 

Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (Shiv Sena-UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also spoke in praise of Ms. Banerjee. “She has put forward her statement because she has shown a successful model in West Bengal, where she has kept the BJP away from power and implemented good welfare schemes. Whenever the INDIA bloc meeting takes place, our senior leaders will together take a decision,” Ms. Chaturvedi said. 

“The INDIA bloc alliance is fighting for the Constitution and democracy of our country. Mamata didi is very close to us; she is a good leader. Kejriwal sahab (Arvind Kejriwal, former CM of Delhi) will enter into election field in New Delhi now. So, all these leaders should speak with each other,” Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray told media persons on Sunday.