India, April 26 -- If the BJP fails to win the West Bengal election, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will emerge as a central figure in national politics-a development that could pose a significant challenge for the BJP.

Mamata is one of those leaders in the country who does not hesitate to take to the streets. Unlike Rahul Gandhi or Akhilesh Yadav, she is not a leader who seeks a life of comfort. There is a palpable search in Delhi for a leader capable of providing strong leadership to the opposition, and Mamata fits this role perfectly. With the exception of the Congress, all constituent parties of the INDIA alliance would likely accept her as their leader. Furthermore, given her identity as a Brahmin woman, she would provide the upper-...