MAMATA RAJ ( COVER STORY) MAY 18,2012 ( REIGN OF INTOLERANCE)

MAMATA RAJ ( COVER STORY) MAY 18,2012 ( REIGN OF INTOLERANCE)

Dictatorship, Autocracy, Authoritarianism, or despotism, Mamata Banerjee has hit the headlines again.

There are women, who played and are playing a significant role in Indian politics. The women in India are more committed to becoming house wives and good mothers than involving themselves in politics. Politics and leadership requires an enigmatic charisma. Most of the women candidates find it difficult to establish themselves even within the party until they present themselves as ‘Bahus or Betis’ from a rich political background. This results in ‘leaders without excellence’. The passing and approval of the Reservation Bill or giving equal priority alone is not the only criteria but the elegance and prowess of the women that matters. This is a clear indication of the Indian politics requires a giant leap.

Highly strung and self-opinionated, Mamata has progressively degenerated into an unpredictable politician, an authoritarian leader and a difficult ally. Her stunning success last May at the Assembly elections when she demolished the 34 years old Left Rule of Bengal was a great achievement as well as an opportunity and a time that should have bred humility in her.

While there has been little improvement in 4th most populous state of India, Mamata’s authoritarianism and arrogance are coming to the fore. For every problem she encounters she blames the 34 year left rule. She unceremoniously dismisses a learned railway minister who had a genuine long term vision to improve the Indian Railways right after he presents the Railway Budget, she dictates on what news papers should be read at the government libraries.

West Bengal is supposed to be a highly intellectual state or once considered as such, but given their tolerance to this maverick lady at whom the whole nation would spew anything but disapprobation, her tantrums will soon end up and she will vanish as a shooting star in the eastern sky

The king is dead. Long live the king!
Before there was Mamata, there were the Communists, the epitome of authoritarianism. Now there is Mamata.

SIDDHARHARTHA SHANKAR MISHRA,
NEAR PROFESSORS’ COLONY, BUDHARAJA, SAMBALPUR – 768004, ODISHA