‘Doesn’t Mean We Won’t Tomorrow’: Mamata Banerjee On INDIA Bloc Not Staking Claim To Form Govt

Mamata Banerjee said the TMC will be in a “wait and watch” mode and she would be happy if the “weak and unstable” BJP-led NDA government is kicked out of power.

Lok Sabha Election Result 2024: Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee Saturday issued a warning shot to the BJP-led NDA alliance, stating that the INDIA bloc will await the downfall of their “weak and unstable” government and then throw them out of power.

Addressing reporters after a meeting of the newly-elected TMC MPs, Banerjee said INDIA bloc may not have staked claim to form the government today, but that does not mean the opposition alliance will not do it tomorrow.

The West Bengal Chief Minister said the TMC will be in a “wait and watch” mode and she would be happy if the “weak and unstable” BJP-led NDA government is kicked out of power.

Banerjee also claimed that the Lok Sabha election result was a verdict against Narendra Modi and he should not become the prime minister because the country wants change.

“The country needs change; the country wants change. This mandate was for change. We are waiting and keeping a watch on the situation. This mandate was against Narendra Modi, so he should not become the prime minister this time. Someone else should have been allowed to take over,” she asserted.

‘Doesn’t mean we won’t tomorrow’

Asked why the INDIA bloc– of which the TMC is a part of at the national level– did not stake a claim to form the government, the CM asserted that it does not mean they (opposition) will not do it tomorrow.

“The BJP is forming the government undemocratically and illegally. Today INDIA bloc may not have staked a claim to form the government, but that doesn’t mean tomorrow it won’t stake a claim. Let’s wait for some time,” Banerjee said, adding that she would be “happy to see that this unstable and weak government at the centre is out of power”.

She asserted that ultimately, the INDIA bloc will form the government in the coming days.

‘NDA 3.0 won’t complete full term’

Citing sources, a PTI report said that Banerjee told TMC leaders and MPs that the “NDA government will not complete its full term.”

Later, while talking to reporters after the meeting also, Banerjee expressed confidence that the “unstable and weak BJP government at the Centre” won’t last long.

“The NDA government to be formed will be unstable. BJP has not secured majority; they are dependent on allies. Let’s see how long they can get along with their allies,” she said.

The TMC chief also revealed that she or her party will not attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new government.

Banerjee also said the TMC MPs in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will seek repeal of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

The TMC had exited the INDIA bloc in West Bengal in January but stated that she would continue to be part of the opposition bloc at the national level.

(With PTI inputs)