Politics of denial at the cost of economic growth in West Bengal

West Bengal is not at peace post election. A state which has given intellectuals, artists, writers, and authors of the highest caliber is helpless in confronting the people with vested interest who have eaten into its psyche and its persona since the independence. Post independence, it is amazing to see that very few high caliber individuals came out of West Bengal who could be considered as true Bengali Bhadra Lok. Those who grew in Bengal, came out of Bengal to grow in stature and persona. Unfortunately, very few of them are such high achieving individuals who visit Bengal or work in Bengal any more. What ails Bengal? Why even young doctors who took oath to help public are being beaten? Why CM is reluctant to displease a segment of society?

The three decades of CPM politics killed the future of Bengal to be a top class state. Very rarely a leader of substance came out of Bengal during its regime whom people could consider amongst the national level leaders. Bengal constricted itself inwardly in every sphere of life. Best of Bengal youth started migrating outside Bengal because of its state politics and no employment opportunities. The last nail in the coffin was hammered by the current dispensation of Bengal led by its CM Mamata Banerji through her infamous movement against the TATA motors.

She killed every potential of growth and development in one stroke by touching the typical classical mindset of “Ma, Mati, and Manus” (Mother, Motherland Bangla, and Bangla people). General public did consider her talking of atypical Bengali nationalism proposed during British India freedom struggle. She became overnight “Didi” (elder sister) of every Bengali, a beacon of “Parivartan” (Change) in Bengal. People outrightly rejected the policies of CPM in one stroke and literally brought a change through ballot by bringing Mamata to the fore as its leader of potential future of Bengal. Mamata was supported all and sundry. Most of the CPM grass root cadres changed colors overnight and joined her movement of “trinmool”. She had no organizational structure and practically followed the club-based organization structure of CPM. Almost every CPM supporter in majority of districts joined and became Mamata supporter. People knew that it is not true change of heart but opportunism. Mamata in West Bengal became symbol of change because she appeared to one and all as dead honest leader. Perhaps she was, and perception was not wrong at that point of time.

A huge party setup run by her needed money and money came from questionable sources and questionable people. Mamata was to be a populist and started unthinkable policies of supporting illegal immigration from Bangladesh and Myanmar. Bengal was over flowing with unemployment and now this illegal immigration influx has made everyone’s life miserable. People lost their trust in Mamata run ‘Trinmool Congress” (TMC). Federal elections of May, 2019 brought unthinkable results for Mamata who was so confident of playing Bengali card and get votes for her TMC. She lost miserably almost everywhere except those pockets of minority community where TMC was a God-send party. Mamata is in deep doubt now about her political movement. She is in serious trouble because several of her leaders are under the radar of criminal investigations. Worst of all, she spoilt career of some public servants, or on the verge of it, by using them as pawns in her deeds.

West Bengal CM Mamata is in denial mode. Mentally she is not ready to accept that public perception has changed now. People once again want “Parivartan” but this time it will be by ending the inning of Mamata and by choosing entirely new setup. Coming assembly elections are crucial for TMC. It will be crucial for several other similar outfits like RJD in Bihar, TDP in Andhra, AAA in Delhi, SP and BSP in UP, too. These regional outfits run by families have very limited self life. People have seen that PM Modi and his party is better because they have not done anything which can be called dishonest or corrupt act. BJP as a policy has an all inclusive slogan which has fascinated people and in last five years, people have noticed that India can have not only honest but a strong character to lead the nation. Bengal is no different. Change is inevitable and Bengal too would get every benefit from those TMC has forcibly deprived them till date.