Stalin chants 'RaGa for PM', Mamata Banerjee says not now
Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee has downplayed DMK leader Stalin's remark of making Rahul Gandhi the face of Prime Minister candidate for the opposition. Banerjee told PTI the decision would be taken after the united opposition wrests power from the ruling BJP. "All (opposition) parties will meet and decide on the issue. We will accept that," the Chief Minister of West Bengal said.
TMC believes premature announcement could divide opposition camp
When asked if she is one of the contenders for the top post, Banerjee said, "This is not the time to discuss this issue. And I am not alone. We are working together. We are solidly together." Earlier, the TMC said announcing the PM candidate won't be healthy for the opposition as it could draw lines within the camp. Nevertheless, Stalin made his announcement.
Stalin was all praises for RaGa
Heaping praises on Gandhi, who recently steered Congress to victory in three crucial Hindi heartland states, Stalin said the Congress President is capable of taking on the 'fascist' BJP. At the unveiling of the statue of Karunanidhi, Stalin made the remarks in the presence of opposition leaders like Chandrababu Naidu and Pinarayi Vijayan. Stalin said DMK would support Gandhi's PM bid.
Akhilesh Yadav too didn't endorse Stalin's views
Notably, not only Banerjee but former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav too distanced himself from Stalin's projection. "It is not necessary it (Stalin's proposal) is the alliance opinion," Yadav said. CPI(M)'s Sitaram Yechury also said it would be best to choose PM after polls. "Indian politics has proved time and again that a formation takes place only after the election," he said.
Banerjee is fine with SP-BSP alliance sans Congress
Separately, Banerjee also welcomed the reports that suggested SP and Mayawati's BSP were stitching an alliance without the Congress. Banerjee said, "This is very good. It is a local compulsion. We appreciate that." The Congress could be fighting alone due to this compulsion, she said.
