Mamata Banerjee: Woman who brought down an empire

A decade ago, when the National Democratic Alliance government led by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee introduced the Women’s Reservation Bill in Parliament in the face of a massive protest from regional forces, the fiery Mamata Banerjee walked up to a male MP and pulled him by the collar. Her spontaneous action numbed the protester and ensured that the copy of the bill was rescued from being torn into pieces. While her colleagues supporting the bill were overwhelmed by her bravado, the opponents went into silent mode. Not one member could muster the courage to challenge her act.

Banerjee supported the Women’s Reservation Bill but never allowed her own sex to prevent her entering big street battles, whether in Kolkata or in Delhi. In the real sense, Didi, as she is popularly called, always leads from the front.

Vajpayee would often complain, smilingly, how she was a “hatti ladki” (stubborn girl). Prime Minister Manmohan Singh forgiving her angry outbursts in cabinet meetings is no secret. Senior cabinet colleagues teased Banerjee for being too pushy when it came to promoting West Bengal at the Centre. But whether it was electoral battle or government jousting, she never let go of her fighter image. 

Three decades ago when she embarked on her single-minded mission to dislodge the Communists, many wondered if she was chasing a mirage. During discussions at her official resident at MS Flat (Delhi) over evening snacks of jhal muri and chai Banerjee would often say that her mission was difficult but not impossible. As railway minister in the NDA, she one day proudly held her party symbol (flowers and grass) in her hand and said, “Don’t ridicule it. It will withstand the biggest storm and bring winds of change.”

While other cabinet ministers used pulls and pressures to grab big and beautiful bungalows of their choice, Banerjee was content with her two-bedroom flat.  She has never hankered for the luxurious lifestyle that could have been hers as a minister of the Union. Austerity and simplicity have always been integral to her life. Probably it is this very image which has helped her to bond with the aam aadmi. After last week’s massive mandate in West Bengal, Banerjee admitted, “There is nothing like happiness or sorry (sic). My commitment is to the people and they mean the world to me.” In her political journey spanning almost four decades, she has never come across as a vulnerable woman. Even in the most trying times from 2000 through 2007, she never allowed her confidence to be shaken.

Banerjee has evolved as a leader despite the absence of a political godfather and has never allowed the trappings of power to compromise her real goal — ma, mati, manoos.