'Mamata should lead INDIA bloc': Sharad Pawar's rare move puts Congress in a fix

NEW DELHI: NCP Sharad faction leader Sharad Pawar publicly endorsed Trinamool supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to lead the INDIA bloc. Sharad Pawar’s rare show of support comes amidst talks of a rift within the INDIA bloc over leadership change.

"Mamata is an effective leader and she has all right to be in the leadership role,” said Pawar. Mamata Banerjee had earlier expressed her willingness to take up the leadership of INDIA alliance without affecting her post as the Chief Minister of Bengal. A crack appeared in the INDIA alliance over leadership change after the back-to-back humiliations suffered in Haryana and Maharashtra polls.

The Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena and the Samajwadi Party are also in favour of Mamata becoming the leader. At the same time, it is noteworthy that RJD leader and Bihar opposition leader Tejaswi Yadav took a different approach calling for discussion to reach a consensus. It is indicated that RJD is interested in bringing Lalu Prasad Yadav to the leadership. Meanwhile, Congress is determined not to throw away its leadership role easily.