Mamata Banerjee not keen to become a junior partner of Rahul Gandhi's Congress

In what can be seen as a blow to Congress President Rahul Gandhi's prospects as the Prime Ministerial candidates of a united Opposition, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hinted that she is not keen on working as an ally of a Congress-led alliance.

At an interview to a regional channel, Banerjee said, “I do not feel that Congress can get a majority in the general elections. It is also true that regional parties are also becoming stronger. I am not aware whether other regional parties like TRS, BJD or NCP share a good rapport with the Congress or not”.

When asked specifically about Rahul Gandhi expressing his desire to by Prime Minister, Banerjee said, “It is always correct to express one's party’s opinion. I do not see anything wrong in it. But in the present situation, it seems that although the Congress is the largest Opposition party, it is not in a position to get a majority on its own”.

On being asked about he own ambitions, she said, “My only mission is to bring all anti-BJP parties under one umbrella. I will be glad if I could do something for the benefit of the country. But I do not have any desire to lead any federal front.”

While Banerjee said she has good relations with Sonia Gandhi, she also criticised the Congress for “acting unilaterally” as the Opposition. “ In Parliament we fight collectively. But when the Congress moved the impeachment motion, we said that this would not work. But the Congress went ahead with their plan. They should remember that regional parties are important.”

Political observers see Banerjee's comments as being reflective of her reluctance to join the Congress bandwagon at this juncture.

Imankalyan Lahiri , professor of International Relations Jadavpur University, said “It’s clear from Banerjee’s interview that she is not willing to work as an ally of the Rahul Gandhi-led Congress. Congress can't get a majority on its own and will need to ally with some regional parties. Her position on the Congress' impeachment motion against the Chief Justice indicates that Banerjee will prefer to strengthen an alliance of regional parties rather than become a Congress ally”.

Another political analyst Suparna Moitra says that, “Banerjee wants to keep all options open for strengthening a federal front. It also indicated that the Congress will have to work harder to win the support of regional parties”.