India Today Conclave East 2021: TMC's Derek O'Brien on Mamata's ideology, Bengal elections and fascism

At the India Today Conclave East 2021, TMC leader and Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien spoke about the upcoming Bengal assembly elections, failure of the central government to deliver on its promises and the Trinamool Congress ideology under its chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. O’Brien not only criticised the central government leadership but also hinted that Banerjee could get support as the main challenger to PM Narendra Modi in 2024 Lok Sabha elections. “Across the board, this country is looking for one man or woman who they can rally around. And my guess is it's a woman from eastern India,” he said. During the session, O’Brien also explained why it is wrong to term West Bengal as a fascist state and blamed the BJP of playing the victim card ahead of the elections in the state.