Rahul Gandhi and Omar Abdullah (File Photo/PTI)

NEW DELHI: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Monday backed Congress MP Rahul Gandhi after party veteran Mani Shankar Aiyar publicly suggested West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee — rather than Gandhi — as the leader of the opposition INDIA bloc.Also Read | ‘Without Mamata di …’: Mani Shankar Aiyar’s advise to Rahul Gandhi on INDIA bloc leadershipAbdullah said Gandhi, as leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, has been raising issues and taking on the BJP-led government at every opportunity, and questioned what more his detractors expected of him.The Jammu and Kashmir CM’s National Conference is among the constituents of the Congress-led front.“Tell me, what has Rahul Gandhi lacked in competing against the BJP? He is consistently the one person who targets the BJP, always opposes the BJP, and targets the government on every issue. That is the job of the leader of the opposition. What more do you want from Rahul Gandhi? In that regard, can someone tell me what he has lacked?” Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of the Khelo India winter games in Gulmarg.Also Read | ‘I am not a Rahulian’: Congress rift blows up as Mani Shankar Aiyar goes on name-calling spree Speaking in Kolkata on Sunday, Aiyar suggested that the Congress should cede the leadership of the INDIA bloc to regional parties and proposed that Banerjee — a three-term CM who heads the Trinamool Congress in poll-bound West Bengal — lead the national opposition alliance.Reacting to Aiyar’s remarks, Abdullah described them as the former diplomat’s “personal opinion.”“Now, as for Mani Shankar Aiyar, he has given his personal opinion. He has the right to his opinion; no one can say he doesn’t have the right to speak his mind,” the National Conference vice president stated.Also Read | ‘From arsh to farsh’: Mani Shankar Aiyar’s ‘Rahulian’ outburst and ‘uncle’ syndrome“But ultimately, when a decision is made, it will be taken by the INDIA bloc collectively. Everyone will discuss it together. So far, there has been no discussion on leadership in any meeting of the INDIA bloc,” he added.The INDIA coalition was formed in July 2023 to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. While the alliance failed to stop the BJP from securing a third consecutive term in office, it succeeded in pushing the ruling party below the halfway mark for the first time since 2014.(With PTI inputs)