While the Congress was quick to describe Mamata as a pillar of the INDIA alliance, senior Opposition leaders argued that her positioning may be driven more by local political imperatives rather than be a sign of betrayal. At the same time, Congress and other alliance leaders continue to consider Mamata an intrinsic part of INDIA, notwithstanding her announcement to go it alone. RJD and Congress leaders deny any such possibility in formal interactions but their tone changes in off-the-record conversations. A Congress leader said: “There is a conspiracy to scuttle Mayawati’s induction into INDIA by some leaders of SP and Congress. That’s the key battlefield none of the top INDIA leaders are seriously working on.”

Source: The Telegraph January 25, 2024 08:03 UTC