A day after Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee declared that “there is no UPA”, political strategist Prashant Kishor stated that while the “idea” and “space” the Congress party puts forward is important for a strong opposition (to the ruling BJP), the party’s leadership is not the “divine right” for leading Opposition’s leadership.
Kishor said that the Congress has diminished over the last decade, having lost over 90 per cent of elections, and consequently, the leadership to represent the Opposition should evolve democratically.
In a tweet on Thursday, Kishor stated, “The IDEA and SPACE that Congress represents is vital for a strong opposition. But Congress’ leadership is not the DIVINE RIGHT of an individual especially, when the party has lost more than 90% elections in last 10 years. Let opposition leadership be decided Democratically.”
Mamata, during her Mumbai visit, met veteran politician and NCP chief Sharad Pawar. She was also called on by Shiv Sena leaders Aaditya Thackeray and Sanjay Raut. On Wednesday, on being asked if Pawar was to lead the UPA, the United Progressive Alliance, she said that the UPA no longer exists.
Mamata stressed on the importance of the regional parties in the formation of strong Opposition. The Trinamool’s expansion plan, analysts perceive, is more about getting into a leadership role in the Opposition space, and consequently, to occupy a stronger presence in national politics.
The Trinamool is now aggressively indulging in states where it seeks to occupy the space that Congress has held. After Tripura, it is Meghalaya and Goa, where the Trinamool is attempting to make inroads.
Kishor who is also a political strategist for the Trinamool, in his tweet, highlighted that the Congress can no longer acquire a lead opposition role, naturally. This indicates Trinamool’s ambition of playing the leading role in the Opposition, in a way by overtaking the Congress.
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