QUESTIONS NDA GOVERNMENT'S LONGEVITY - Mamata hints at future possibility of INDIA bloc govt at Centre

Buoyed by her party's resounding triumph in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee on Saturday voiced her scepticism regarding the "longevity of the NDA government". She also hinted that the INDIA bloc could take over the reins at the Centre.

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"The BJP is forming the government undemocratically and illegally. Today, the INDIA bloc may not have staked a claim to form the government but that doesn't mean they won't tomorrow. Let's wait for some time," she said.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting of TMC MPS and senior leaders, Banerjee said she would be pleased if the "weak and unstable" NDA government was removed from power. She also stated that her party would adopt a "wait and watch" approach on the political situation at the Centre.

However, she asserted: "Ultimately, the INDIA bloc will form the government in the coming days." "The NDA government to be formed will be unstable. BJP has not secured a majority; they are dependent on allies. Let's see how long they can get along with their allies," she said.

Banerjee remarked that as the mandate was against Modi, "he should have stepped down this time and allowed someone else to take over".

"Those who spoke of 400 (Lok Sabha seats) could not get even a simple majority on their own," she remarked.