"Way She Wiped Out BJP In Bengal...": Akhilesh Yadav Praises Mamata Banerjee

Akhilesh Yadav - building a platform of his own to challenge the BJP in the 2022 election - said the people of Uttar Pradesh would "wipe out" the ruling party

Mamata Banerjee - on a mission to build a national profile and platform from which to challenge the BJP in 2024 - may have another friendly face to count on, after Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav said he might be open to joining an opposition front led by the Trinamool Congress.

Mr Yadav - busy building a platform of his own to challenge the BJP in the 2022 UP election - said the people of Uttar Pradesh would "wipe out" the ruling party the way she defeated them in April-May.

"I welcome her. The way she wiped out the BJP in Bengal... the people of Uttar Pradesh will wipe out the BJP," Mr Yadav told reporters on Friday in Jhansi where he was holding a 'yatra'.

A journalist had asked if he was willing to be part of an alternate political front floated by the Bengal Chief Minister. "We will speak about it when the time is right," he added.