"Mamata is a member of INDIA bloc, everyone will decide together": TS Singh Deo on possibility of leadership role

Ambikapur (Chattisgarh) [India], December 7 : Senior Congress leader TS Singh Deo on Saturday said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is a member of the INDIA bloc, and that any decision about her future role would be made collectively by the alliance members.
"She has her opinion and intent. Mamata is a member of the INDIA alliance. Whatever conversations happen, it is natural that everyone will sit together and decide," TS Singh Deo said in response to a question about Mamata Banerjee's remarks about her willingness to lead the INDIA bloc.
Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut expressed support for Mamata Banerjee's role in the alliance, saying that they also want her to be a major partner. He added that they would soon meet her in Kolkata.
"We know Mamata ji's opinion. We also want her to be a major partner of the INDIA bloc. Whether it is Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal or Shiv Sena, we are all together. We will soon go to talk to Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata," Raut said at a press conference.
Earlier on December 3, Congress MP Kirti Azad responded to suggestions by TMC leaders that Mamata Banerjee should lead the INDIA bloc following Congress' defeat in the Maharashtra assembly elections.
Azad praised Mamata, saying, "Mamata Banerjee has a 100 per cent record. Whenever Prime Minister Narendra Modi faced a humiliating defeat, it was only in West Bengal...Whenever he comes to insult Bengal and its honour, her vote share increases."
He further said that Mamata Banerjee is known for her articulate views, and that "She is a very senior leader. She speaks clearly."
"She (Mamata Banerjee) resides in every household in West Bengal, in every household in the country...Mamata Banerjee is someone who takes everyone together. She calls people only after making preparations and taking her time," he added.
On November 26, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee suggested that one strong leader is needed to lead the INDIA bloc following the defeat of Congress in Haryana and Maharashtra assembly polls. He had further said that the opposition alliance should be stronger to take on the BJP.
"The Congress has failed to achieve the desired result either in Haryana or in Maharashtra. We had tremendous hope from the Congress that they would do better. INDIA alliance is there but the expected result could not be achieved. And there is a great failure on the part of the congress to achieve the result...Today it is necessary if you want to fight against the BJP, INDIA alliance should be stronger. And to make it stronger, one leader is required. Now who can be the leader? That's the core question. Congress has done it. All experiments have been done, but they have failed...," he had said.