“West Bengal is at a crossroads. There is no industry here. People are migrating to other states in search of livelihood. Mamata Banerjee, who succeeded in forming the Government with the help of Singur agitation, has totally spoiled the state industry. The situation in the state is worse than that of the erstwhile Left rule. Every policy of this Government is for the benefit of Muslims. Hindus seem to have been left on the margins to fend for themselves, as if they do not belong to the state. It is time that we Bengalis should think beyond TMC, Left and Congress. Bengal, once the engine of India’s growth, has been shattered under Mamata’s rule. This is what a Middle-class, but highly educated Bengali told Organiser in Kolkata.
While talking to commuters in Howrah-Barddhaman Local, what do they think about the situation in Bengal and their perspective on the Modi Government? One of the commuters said that He does not need a free ration and thousand Rupees. He needs employment. He said that there is no opportunity for the lower middle class in Bengal. Another commuter, while talking about the Modi Government’s development policy said, “If I look at t
he works done by the Modi Government nationally and internationally, I would give them eighty marks out of hundred. So, Modi must definitely be given another chance.”
When asked if it is true that Mamata Banerjee is giving everything to Muslims, Ganesh Manna, Nabkumar Manna and Pradeep Manna from Hooghly district said, “In our area (Baruipara), Muslims were almost 30 per cent. However, their number has rapidly grown to more than 40 per cent. Muslims have surrounded us from three fronts. A large number of Muslims have infiltrated from Bangladesh and are now capturing everything from rice cultivation to local jobs. We are hopeful that when the Modi Government comes to power third time, it will implement NRC and oust these inflitrators.”
Talking about availing benefits of the Modi Government’s policy, Ganesh Manna says, “Whatever the Modi Government gives to the people of Bengal, people don’t get benefit of this.”
One of the victims of post-poll violence, Rupali Chowdhary from Baruipara, Hooghly, whose house was set on fire by the goons of TMC, said, “TMC is afraid of BJP gaining space in West Bengal, so they are targeting
those who support BJP. TMC members do bogus voting in our constituency.”
Center of Mamata’s politics is based on Muslim appeasement. That is why she targets Hindu organisations like Ramakrishna Mission, ISKCON and links Ram Navami celebration with violence
When asked why she trusts the Modi Government despite getting threats from TMC members? she told Organiser, “Narendra Modi protects the women of this country. He gave us LPG connection, built houses for the poor, provided drinking water to every household and also free rations.”
Another victim of poll violence, Maushami Patro said that her son was forced to leave his home as he supported the BJP. Importantly, there are mainly four issues in Bengal elections this time: Women protection (due to Sandeshkhali incident), Muslim appeasement by the ruling TMC, Corruption and violence by ruling party supporters.
Mamata’s Muslim First policy
Now, coming to the issue of Muslim appeasement in the state. Mamata Banerjee, since the beginning, has been appeasing Muslims. In July 2011, In her first meeting with minorities, after she became the Chief Minister, she announced scholarships, stipends and loans worth Rs 21.37 crore among 54,166 persons and distributed Rs 145 crore to Muslims under self-employment schemes.
In April 2012, Mamata announced new loan schemes and employment banks and promised an official stamp on 10,000 madrasas.
Same year, she declared a monthly honorarium and housing subsidy for imams in the state. In April 2013, Mamata Banerjee began paying a stipend to imams and muazzins who issued the call to prayer. However, in September 2013, the Calcutta High Court said the stipend was unconstitutional, putting her Muslim policy under the scanner. Only in her first tenure, she increased allocation for the minorities department by 73 per cent in the state budget. Just after a month, in May 2012, her Government decided to include 33 more categories in the OBC list. Notably, on May 22, 2024, the Calcutta High Court cancelled all Other Backward Classes (OBC) certificates issued by the West Bengal government after 2010.
The court said, “The Commission and State acted in undue haste and with lightning speed in making recommendations for the classification of the 77 classes to make the public announcement of the then Chief Minister a reality”.
Mamata’s appeasement politics crossed all the limits in February 2024, when her Government allocated Rs 5530.65 crore in the state budget for minority affairs and madrasa education for the financial year 2024-2025. This allocation was about 11.7 times more than the Rs 472 crore allocated in the 2010-2011 fiscal year.
Looking at her initiatives in the last 13 years, one can say that the centre of Mamata Banerjee’s politics is purely based on Muslim appeasement. That is why sometimes she targets Hindu organisations like Ramakrishna Mission and ISKCON. It is the appeasement politics that she links Ram Navami celebration with violence.
“Greetings to all on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami. I appeal to maintain peace, prosperity and development for all,” She posted on X on April 17, 2024.
Of course, the six phases of the Lok Sabha Elections have been conducted in West Bengal, and the seventh phase of elections is scheduled to take place on June 1. While visiting various Lok Sabha Constituencies in Bengal, Organiser found one common concern of the people that Mamata has failed Bengal and they cannot give her party a chance to represent in Parliament. It is also a fact that the result of Lok Sabha elections in Bengal will not have an impact on Mamata Banerjee’s Chief Ministerial post. However, it will have an impact on the future of her Party. If TMC’s tally in Lok Sabha goes down, which is currently 22 out of 42 seats, then the fall of the party and its leader, Mamata Banerjee, is inevitable.
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