Mamata backs Rahul as PM, Kharge seeks Opposition unity

Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee endorsed Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi as the face of the Opposition alliance, telling leaders at the INDIA bloc meeting on Wednesday (September 30, 2026) that she would have no objection if Mr. Gandhi were to become the Prime Minister.

Her remarks, however, were promptly met with a note of caution from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who said the gathering was not meant to discuss leadership positions but to forge a united response to the challenges facing the country.

Sources said Ms. Banerjee repeatedly emphasised the need for all Opposition parties to work together and said she was prepared to contribute as a mere worker. Stressing that she had “no ego”, she cited her outreach to Biju Janata Dal leader Naveen Patnaik and referred to her recent conversation with CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby, despite the Trinamool Congress and the Left having been longstanding political rivals in West Bengal.

Pointing towards Mr. Gandhi, Ms. Banerjee said: “If Rahul Gandhi becomes Prime Minister, I have no problem.”

Mr. Kharge intervened soon after, saying the meeting’s purpose was not to decide who would occupy the top post but to stand together to “save the country”.

Leaders present at the meeting described the atmosphere as markedly different from the INDIA bloc’s previous gathering on June 8. Wednesday’s (September 30, 2026) discussions were characterised by Congress’s willingness to accommodate suggestions from all parties.

Ideas mooted by Mr. Baby for a collective representation to the President, by CPI (ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya of taking the agitation on “vote chori” (vote theft) beyond Delhi and the main cities, and by independent Rajya Sabha Member Kapil Sibal of legally challenging the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023, were accepted.

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav suggested that there is a growing need for the INDIA bloc to speak with one voice, for which it should have designated spokespersons. The bloc agreed that a sub-committee should be formed to take day-to-day decisions.

Mr. Gandhi, who spoke towards the end of the deliberations, stressed the importance of collective action and cooperation among alliance partners. He said the Congress was prepared to work with “humility” alongside other parties and argued that the alliance had a historic responsibility to defend democratic institutions.

“History will remember this group which is sitting here today as the one that defended the Constitution of India,” he said.

Addressing the joint press conference later, Mr. Gandhi returned to the same theme. “Collectively, we are the defenders of the Indian Constitution,” he said, adding that the coming months would be politically significant and that the Opposition intended to intensify its campaign against the government.