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INDIA bloc open to more Opposition parties, says Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal's former chief minister Mamata Banerjee signalled Thursday that the Opposition alliance has room for additional members, including regional powerhouses like the DMK. She indicated the bloc would settle its leadership question through collective consensus.

LSN India · 2 October 2026

INDIA bloc open to more Opposition parties, says Mamata Banerjee

Mamata Banerjee threw open doors for further expansion of the INDIA bloc, suggesting that the Opposition alliance remains receptive to welcoming more parties into its fold. Speaking in New Delhi on Thursday, the Trinamool Congress supremo highlighted the possibility of regional heavyweight parties such as the DMK joining the grouping, which has emerged as a significant counter to the BJP-led NDA.

The former West Bengal chief minister's remarks came as the alliance continues to consolidate its position ahead of crucial electoral battles. Her statement underscores the INDIA bloc's strategy to present itself as an inclusive platform capable of accommodating diverse regional and national Opposition voices.

On the contentious matter of alliance leadership, Banerjee indicated that the bloc would adopt a collaborative approach to determine its direction. Rather than imposing a unilateral decision, she suggested that the question of who should steer the alliance would be resolved through collective discussion and agreement among constituent parties.

The INDIA bloc, formed earlier to challenge the ruling BJP, has already brought together a range of Opposition parties across India. Banerjee's comments reflect ongoing negotiations within the alliance as it seeks to strengthen its footprint and present a united challenge to the government in forthcoming electoral contests.