Manishankar Aiyar suggests Rahul Gandhi hand over India bloc leadership to regional leaders

Kolkata: Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has triggered a fresh political debate by suggesting that Rahul Gandhi should consider handing over the leadership of the INDIA alliance to prominent regional leaders.

Aiyar said that strong regional leaders within the opposition bloc are capable of leading the alliance effectively. Referring to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, he stated that she is one of the principal leaders of the alliance and that its strength would be affected without her central role.

He advised Rahul Gandhi to entrust the responsibility of leading the INDIA bloc to Mamata Banerjee in order to consolidate opposition unity. He further pointed out that there are several regional leaders who can shoulder leadership responsibilities within the alliance.

Aiyar mentioned Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as capable figures who can play an important role in steering the opposition front. According to him, Rahul Gandhi should share leadership responsibilities to strengthen the collective fight against the BJP.

The remarks have sparked political controversy ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections. Leaders of the West Bengal Congress distanced themselves from Aiyar’s statement, clarifying that his views do not reflect the official position of the party.

State Congress general secretary Suman Roy Chowdhury said Aiyar has been away from active party politics for a long time and that his comments were made in a personal capacity. He also questioned whether the statement was linked to political considerations surrounding a vacant Rajya Sabha seat.

Reacting to the development, Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh said the party’s immediate focus is on election preparations and defeating the BJP to form the government again under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership.

Aiyar, who was earlier suspended by the Congress over remarks concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has in recent times made statements appreciating certain regional leaders. His latest comments have added a new dimension to the ongoing debate over leadership dynamics within the INDIA opposition bloc.

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