Lucknow: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday expressed confidence that Mamata Banerjee will become Chief Minister of West Bengal once again in the upcoming assembly elections, claiming she is headed for a “historic mandate.” Speaking to reporters at the party headquarters in Lucknow on the sidelines of an award function, Yadav hailed Banerjee as a lone yet formidable fighter in the face of what he described as concerted efforts to undermine her.
Akhilesh Yadav said, “She (Mamata Banerjee) is emerging victorious, despite having waged a struggle all alone, no matter how many officials are reshuffled by the Election Commission in collusion with the BJP, or the BJP colludes with the Election Commission…” His remarks underscored the SP’s open support for the Trinamool Congress leader and reflected the party’s attempt to project unity among opposition forces ahead of the crucial West Bengal polls.
The statement also served as a pointed critique of the Election Commission and the BJP, with Akhilesh accusing them of trying to tilt the political playing field against Mamata Banerjee. Party sources indicated that the SP is positioning itself as a vocal ally of regional leaders like Banerjee to counter the BJP’s influence in eastern and northern India in the coming electoral cycle
