Mamata Banerjee's Hint at 'Dalit PM' Sparks Debate in INDIA Bloc Meeting | 2024 Elections Focus

Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee hinted at the possibility of a 'Dalit Prime Minister' for the opposition's INDIA bloc without explicitly naming Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge during their fourth meeting. Kharge, who rejected the proposal, emphasized the need to focus on defeating the BJP in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Arvind Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee endorsed Kharge as the potential PM face, but Kharge insisted on prioritizing the electoral victory before discussing leadership roles.

Congress leader PJ Joseph clarified that Mamata Banerjee did not mention Kharge's name but suggested that projecting a 'Dalit PM' would be beneficial for the alliance. Kharge echoed this sentiment during the press meet, emphasizing the importance of increasing the coalition's numbers first.

Insiders revealed that Kharge opposed the idea due to his commitment to non-caste-based politics and his advocacy for equality throughout his political career. JD(U) and RJD, however, did not support Kharge's nomination, leading Nitish Kumar and Lalu Yadav to leave the meeting early.

The INDIA bloc's fourth meeting prioritized seat-sharing talks, aiming to reach understanding in various states by the year-end. Meanwhile, the UP Congress urged Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Kharge to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Uttar Pradesh, citing the political significance of the state and the historical stronghold of Rae Bareli and Amethi for the party. UP Congress president Ajay Rai emphasized the Gandhi family's strong connection with these constituencies.