‘75 seats will determine the game’
BANERJEE ASSURES THAT A UNITED OPPOSITION WILL NOT ENCOUNTER CONFLICTS IN LEADERSHIP AS LONG AS THERE IS UNDERSTANDING
KOLKATA: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has asserted with confidence that a single common candidate for 75 seats would seal the game for 2019. “If Mayawati and Akhilesh work together in Uttar Pradesh, the game will be over,” she said in an interview with a national magazine. On being asked about the prospects of an oppositional alliance, Banerjee showed no restraints in expressing her optimism, “It is possible... Everybody has to work together... Whoever is stronger wherever, let them fight the election. Leadership will not be a problem. If there is understanding, everything can be sorted out.”
Garnering undisputed support from West Bengal, Mamata Baner- jee would be touted by many to assume the coveted role of Prime Minister — the lady in white though has another story to tell. “I have no intent (to be Prime Minister). I am a simple person and happy with my job...instead of preparing for PM candidature, let us work together,” Banerjee said trying to draw the curtains on speculations of her assuming the mighty chair. Nevertheless, on persisting upon her role in the future coalition, she did not entirely rule out the possibility of becoming PM, “Who am I to rule out anything? I am a seasoned politician... after my struggles, I have been MP seven times, MLA twice and a CM twice. I cannot say anything that the others might not like.”
The Congress and Mamata Banerjee have, for long, shared a respectable mutual understanding. Her equations with Sonia and Rahul Gandhi though, are shaded differently, given their distinct engagements. “I respect her (Sonia Gandhi). She is very gentle, sober and polite. We have never had a quarrel,” Banerjee has always displayed this unquestioned respect towards the Gandhi matriarch. Towards Rahul too she expresses optimism, “He is from a younger generation, let them work according to their choice...let them also serve the people as they can.”
Despite other regional parties hesitating in embracing the Congress as a part of the opposition coalition, Banerjee remains resolute. Her focus is one: to defeat the BJP along “with anybody as long as they are efficient and their intentions,
philosophy and ideology are clear”.
For Mamata Banerjee, the goal is unambiguous as is her personal sense of political etiquette and ethics. “We have to take our countrymen into confidence. Whatever the regional parties decide, we will
abide by that.”
Disclosing for the first time her grievance with her cancelled trips to China and Chicago, Banerjee said tacitly, “I know there was some foul play. I cannot discuss it because I respect my country, that’s why despite knowing the details, I will not tell you.” In between the lines of disclosing and enclosing, Banerjee has raised her finger and the direction is only a fool’s guess.
Mamata Banerjee has been unsparing in her critique of the incumbent central government, which was exhibited once again as she emphasised, “Except for the publicity, their performance is zero. From foreign policy to economic policy, they have failed in every department.”
Speaking of vigilantism and beef ban, Banerjee said without mincing words, “We don’t support any terrorist organisation, be it ISIS or RSS militants. You cannot divide the country with your militant activities, your politics of hate. You are giving Hindus a bad name.” Banerjee further added, “They are inflicting torture. There is no freedom of speech or expression. Everybody is scared, afraid to speak!” Asked about the possibility of an alliance with the BJP, if the NDA falls shorts of the requisite numbers and seeks Banerjee’s support, she reiterated her stance, “I cannot support those who cause atrocities.” The message then is loud and clear.
The BJP has been accused of compromising India’s federal structure and Banerjee too has spoken unequivocally on how the Centre is restricting its cooperation with states, owing to an ideological difference. Despite the difference, Mamata Banerjee has been resilient, refusing to stoop to the powers at the Centre, “I will not beg,” she states explicitly.
“I have no intent (to be Prime Minister). I am a simple person and happy with my job...instead of preparing for PM candidature, let us work together”
Bengal, under Banerjee's leadership, has taken impressive strides to recover from the shackles of 34-years of Communist rule, “We give rice and wheat at Rs 2 per kilo to 90 million of our people; we give free treatment, free medicine and free beds to all. We have extensive schemes for girl child empowerment,” Banerjee highlights as peaks of her policymaking. On the other hand, the Centre, she says, “Are masters of publicity; they spend lots of money on it, we don't. They spent just Rs 600 crore on Beti Bachao in the states, whereas I spent Rs 5,500 crore on girls' empowerment.” Often accused of minority appeasement, Banerjee rejects this tag emphasising Bengal's multiculturalism, “Who are they to decide whether I am Hindu, Muslim or Christian? Do I need the BJP to tell me who I am?” Lurking behind the shadows, the BJP in Bengal is looking for a resurgence; Banerjee, though, believes they deserve little attention, “What threat? In Bengal, the BJP is nothing – we got 82 per cent of the panchayat samiti and 95 per cent of the zilla parishads.” The answer lies implicitly in the numbers.
Speaking of numbers, a question on Amit Shah's claim to winning 22 seats in Bengal in the next Lok Sabha elections fell on Banerjee's deaf ears. “Please don't mention his name...they cannot fight us politically, so now they are threatening us with intelligence agencies... I am not afraid, we will fight this battle.”
Mamata Banerjee's Bengal model of development has been undeniably successful. The crucial question that lingers will be on the effectivity of her leadership outside the state. Will the same policies, same promises and the same slogans reverberate the same emotions as they have in Bengal in 2011 and 2016? “We have everything ready, when the elections come, you'll see,” Banerjee said with her trademark confidence, adding perceptively, “If you want to hear the music, you have to wait till the festival.”