Mamata in Delhi pitches for 'Opposition Unity', says country will lead, we will follow

New Delhi: After a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday (July 27) said that a united opposition against the BJP will take shape on its own, adding that the country will lead and parties will follow.

Addressing reporters outside the South Avenue home where she is staying, Mamata stated "Unity of opposition parties will take shape on its own." When asked if she would lead the Opposition parties she said, "Country will lead and we shall follow." Mamata is on her first visit to Delhi after winning the West Bengal Assembly elections 2021 for the third consecutive term.

The West Bengal Chief Minister who met Prime Minister at his residence today said it was a courtesy call and it was conducted as per constitutional protocol. She said that during her meeting she urged the Prime Minister to ensure more COVID vaccines and medicines for West Bengal. "I have raised Covid issue that we need more vaccines and medicines as per the population of the state," she said.

On the issue of by-polls, Mamata said, "Election commission should hold it as per the protocol. "On July 15 a six-member delegation of TMC visited the election Commission of India office in Delhi to discuss the upcoming Assembly by-polls in West Bengal and other issues.

By-poll elections for seven seats are yet to be held in West Bengal.Significantly holding by-elections is important as the chief minister and the finance minister Dr Amit Mitra are currently non-MLAs and need to get within elected within six months, till November 5 to continue as MLA or as CM.

Meanwhile, Mamata after meeting the Prime Minister said there was a need for a Supreme Court-monitored probe in the Pegasus cyber attack. Mamata is set to meet Congress high command Sonia Gandhi before which a meeting with TMC MPs has been scheduled. Mamata had told reporters that she will also have a meeting with Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi tomorrow. Earlier in the day, Mamata met with Congress leaders Kamal Nath and Anand Sharma.