In a surprising turn of events at the ongoing meeting of the Opposition INDIA bloc, Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, proposed Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge's name as a potential Prime Ministerial candidate. This proposition, made despite Banerjee's earlier assertion that the bloc would defer the decision on the Prime Ministerial candidate until after the Lok Sabha elections, garnered notable support from twelve participating parties.
Banerjee's proposal aimed to position Kharge, a prominent Dalit figure within the Opposition, as a potential choice for the top leadership role. The proposal received widespread applause, including support from Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi's Chief Minister, who, despite occasional differences with the Congress, echoed the sentiment, citing the historic opportunity to have the nation's first Dalit Prime Minister.
However, Kharge, known for his dedication to the welfare of marginalized communities, gracefully declined the proposal, emphasizing the importance of focusing on winning elections before deliberating on leadership roles. He expressed his commitment to working for the betterment of the downtrodden.
Addressing reporters post the discussion, Kharge reiterated the necessity of first securing a majority before discussing Prime Ministerial candidates, emphasizing the significance of collective efforts toward achieving electoral success.
The proposal itself, while showcasing Kharge's stature and acceptance among various Opposition factions, appeared to sideline Rahul Gandhi, highlighting the persistent division within the opposition regarding Gandhi's candidature for the top post.
Moreover, Kharge indicated that the contentious issue of seat-sharing among alliance partners would be managed at the state level, underscoring the need for resolving any arising issues at the central level to maintain a cohesive alliance.
As the bloc gears up for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, it plans to conduct numerous meetings across different cities to raise public awareness. Kharge emphasized the importance of these gatherings in communicating the alliance's agenda to the masses.
The meeting, attended by 28 parties, signified the initiation of a series of discussions within the INDIA bloc. Banerjee, along with several parties, set a December 31 deadline for seat-sharing talks, highlighting the urgency in solidifying the alliance's strategies ahead of the elections.
