DAYS after Mamata Banerjee’s “no UPA” jibe, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday attacked the TMC chief, saying she must clarify whether she wants to make TMC the main Opposition party by fighting those in power or by taking on fellow Opposition parties. He also said no Opposition alliance is possible at the national level without the Congress which has to be the main pillar of the bloc taking on the BJP. In an interview with PTI, Baghel said a decision on who would be the face of the Opposition that would take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2024 general election would be taken collectively by the constituents of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) that is headed by Sonia Gandhi.

 

His remarks come days after West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee took swipes at the Congress leadership and said there is “no UPA”, after meeting NCP supremo Sharad Pawar in Mumbai. On Banerjee’s remarks, Baghel said, “I would like to say to Mamata Banerjee that you want to become the main Opposition party, it is a very good thing. If you want to move forward with a plan, harbouring a dream, it will be welcomed, but the question is whether you want to become the main Opposition party by fighting those in power or by taking on fellow Opposition parties.” Asked if he believes that there is collusion between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP, Baghel said Banerjee should clarify as after meeting Pawar, she said “there is no UPA” but following her meeting with Prime Minister Modi, nothing came out as to what transpired and she later attacked the Congress. On the TMC entering the poll fray suddenly in some poll-bound states such as Goa, Baghel said it seems that they want to help the BJP in those States.