Mamata cat among INDIA pigeons

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee set the cat among the pigeons on Friday when she told a Bengali television channel that she is willing to take charge of the INDIA alliance, but with a caveat.

- Aritra Singha

"If given the opportunity I would ensure its smooth functioning...I don't want to go outside West Bengal, but I can run it from here," she said, stressing that her priority lay in the State.

"There are some who cannot tolerate me. If given the responsibility, though I do not want that, I can run it (INDIA bloc) from West Bengal. But I do not want to stay away from Bengal. I was born here and will die here," the Chief Minister said.

She further explained in her interview to Bengali news channel News 18 Bangla that "I had formed the INDIA bloc, now it is up to those leading the front to manage it. If they can't run the show, what can I do? I do not lead the front. I would just say that everyone needs to be taken along," she said in an interview with Bengali news channel News 18 Bangla on Friday. "Those who are in leadership positions there should think about it. But still, I am maintaining my connections with the regional and national parties," she said.

Her remarks gained political traction the next day on Saturday in light of the grouping's political setbacks in Haryana and more recently in Maharashtra, where the MVA emerged weaker with the exit of the SP on Saturday.