Mamata backs Rahul as PM, Kharge seeks Opposition unity

Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule and others during a press conference following the INDIA bloc coordination meeting regarding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, in New Delhi on September 30, 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI

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.