Congress vital but its leadership not divine right of an individual: Prashant Kishor on Opposition unity

Kishor tweeted, "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."

Banerjee, who heads Congress' strongest offshoot Trinamool Congress (TMC), on Wednesday said after meeting a powerful regional leader Sharad Pawar, "What is UPA? There is no UPA."

Pawar, who was a key player of bringing together opposition ahead of the 2019 contest, said it out: "Template for 2024".

"A firm alternative course should be made as nobody is fighting against ongoing fascism. No one can do this alone. Whoever is strong in whichever place has to fight. Sharad ji is the senior-most leader and I came to discuss it as a political courtesy," Banerjee said.

Prashant Kishor

On being asked about an alternative without the Congress, Banerjee said, "I agree with whatever Sharad ji said. We need a strong alternative that can fight. If someone does not want to fight what can we do? We want everyone to fight together on the field."

Countering Banerjee, Congress leader Kapil Sibal tweeted, "UPA Without the Congress , UPA will be a body without a soul. Time to show opposition unity."

The massive victory of the TMC in the 2021 West Bengal Assembly Elections over the BJP has catapulted Banerjee to the national politics making her one of the strongest leaders to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2024 General Elections.