Mamata Banerjee is the eighth Chief Minister of the eastern Indian state of West Bengal and the first woman to hold this office. She founded the Trinamool Congress in 1998 after splitting from the Indian National Congress and has represented the Bhabanipur constituency in the state assembly since 2011.
When Mamata Banerjee first joined the Congress (I) in the 1970s, she rose to be the General Secretary of the State Mahila Congress (I) from 1976 to 1980. She has previously served as an MP for Kolkata South in the Lok Sabha and was the Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development, Youth Affairs and Sports, and Women and Child Development under the P.V. Narasimha Rao government.
One of the defining moments in Mamata Banerjee’s political career was her involvement in the Singur and Nandigram movements. These movements — centered around land acquisition issues, particularly the acquisition of agricultural land for industrial projects — saw her rise as a leader and advocate for the rights of farmers and local communities in Bengal’s Singur and Nandigram districts. She received widespread support, eventually leading to the downfall of the 34-year-old Left Front government in West Bengal and her ascent to power.
She may have planned it all in her mind and with Sonia. But the voters everywhere will be confused. These double dealing alliances are not the voters’ cup of Tea.
1. Though opposition parties like Trinamool Congress (TC), TDP, AAP and NCP wish to join hand with Congress to defeat BJP, not one of them is comfortable with possible ascendance of the Congress. It will be rather naive to expect that these regional parties would be ready to join Congress to form a government in the Centre or accept Rahul Gandhi. One should not overlook fact that each of these parties is a competitor of Congress in their respective States. It is clear that BSP-SP alliance will not be of any comfort to Congress. 2. Indeed the possible scenario after 2019 Lok Sabha (LS) election is scary. Alliances are for sharing of power but they cannot last long. 3. As a citizen-voter I am not convinced that after 2019 Lok Sabha election, alliance government mainly of regional parties (as Congress participation in such a government is uncertain) would be in a position to provide a stable government or good governance. Reality is that not one of these regional parties has any national economic or political agenda. These parties have no common programme to deal with many issues. In fact, politicians like Shri Chandra Babu Naidu, Smt Mamata Banerjee, Smt Mayawati and other leaders of regional parties have always a limited objective-to remain in power in their respective State (Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, or whichever it is). 4. As a citizen-voter I will therefore be happy if the Congress & BJP form an alliance government sinking all their differences. This can happen only if dynastic politics is abandoned by the Congress party. I am aware of fact that BJP & Congress coming together is an improbable development but in national interest it may be necessary to do so.
A very fair articulation of CM Mamata Banerjee”s political stance. She will maximise her political space in Bengal, keep open her legitimate personal ambition, and work for a coordinated opposition campaign that prevents votes from being split. The Congress, too, which has far higher stakes, should be able to take a more enlightened approach, not start day dreaming in UP. The mother of all battles lies ahead.