Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee was put in an awkward spot by Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday during their chance encounter at the Dubai airport when the latter asked twice — first her and then state chief-secretary H.K. Dwivedi — if she was going to lead the INDIA partnership.

As everybody laughed, Mamata asserted that the Opposition might stand a chance if the people responded favourably.

The chief minister also invited Wickremesinghe to the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) 2023 scheduled to take place in Calcutta between November 21 and 23.

Following the first clearance from the Centre for a trip abroad in five years, Mamata was at the Dubai airport during a long layover en route to Madrid to attract investments ahead of the BGBS and enhance sports and cultural ties.

Wickremesinghe was also there for a flight to Madrid, from where he is to take a connecting airliner to Havana. According to the Sri Lankan President’s media division, Wickremesinghe will participate in the G77+China summit in Havana later this week and then address the UN General Assembly in New York next week.

The conservative, centre-right United National Party leader ascended to the Presidency last year.

In video clips widely circulated on social media, the 74-year-old is seen asking Mamata: “Can I ask you one question?”

As she responded in the affirmative, Wickremesinghe asked: “Are you going to lead the Opposition alliance?”

Everybody present, including the Sri Lankan President and the Bengal chief minister laughed, and she said: “Oh my god!”

Wickremesinghe was heard saying: “We’re all wondering.”

“It depends on (the) people, you know,” said the Trinamul Congress chairperson, chief of the third largest party in Parliament (both Houses taken together) and a principal leader in the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

The INDIA grouping currently has a collective leadership as the Congress has decided to take a roundtable approach to the coalition in order to avoid the discomfort over the Prime Ministerial face.

Mamata herself had issued statements asserting that she was in it to save the idea of India and the soul of the nation from the saffron regime and everything else was inconsequential. She has specifically asserted more than once in public that she has “no care for the (Prime Ministerial) chair”.

A short while later, Wickremesinghe was seen turning to chief secretary Dwivedi.

“That question, she has not answered yet, you know,” said the Sri Lankan President.

Mamata said: “Yes Sir, I answered.”

“Is she going to lead the Opposition alliance?” Wickremesinghe asked Dwivedi, as everyone present laughed again.

The Trinamul chief said: “Sir, the Opposition may be in a position also.”

At 9.44am, Mamata posted a picture with Wickremesinghe on X (formerly Twitter).

“His Excellency The President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe saw me at the Dubai International Airport Lounge and called me to join for some discussion,” she wrote.

“I have been humbled by his greetings and invited him to the Bengal Global Business Summit 2023 in Kolkata. HE the President of Sri Lanka extended cordial invitation to me to visit Sri Lanka. It was a pleasant interaction with deep implications,” added the chief minister.