[dropcap]W[/dropcap]est Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee is always aggressive. Be it in training guns at the political rivals—the Left Front and Congress, or running the administration, she has always been quarrelsome. And, she is not bothered about her whimsical behavior.
In a bid to crush the Gorkhaland movement in Darjeeling, Didi has resorted to undemocratic means. The district authorities on Friday blocked airing of news by three local cable TV operators even as the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM)-sponsored indefinite bandh entered the seventh day. The authorities ordered three local cable TV channels to stop airing news on the ground that the broadcast allegedly are in favour of the GJM.
Mamata Banerjee booted out Darjeeling’s popular district magistrate Soumitra Mohan for being “soft”, and brought in Punit Yadav, a forceful officer, known for his capabilities to handle problems with an iron-fist. As the Talengana issue has ignited the Gorkhas in Darjeeling hills to demand for Gorkhaland.
But, the Trinamool Congress chief is all out to sabotage the statehood demand, a democratic right of the people. Demanding larger political representation within the framework of the constitution is nothing wrong as long as the demand is peaceful.
From the first day, Mamata Banerjee has looked at the Gorkhaland statehood demand through a coloured prism, and accused the Congress of instigating the Nepalis in Darjeeling to “divide her state”. Even though the GJM always treated Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress as a “friend” and disliked the West Bengal government’s approach in handling the situation in Darjeeling.
It is wrong for the state administration to react whimsically or unconstitutionally in this kind of a situation. By gagging the television channels or the media, she will not be able to douse the hostile situation in Darjeeling. Rather, the decision will send a wrong message across the country. But, who will make her understand? Apparently, she does not listen to anybody, and decides everything on her own.
The economy of the state is caught in a crisis, and according to reports, West Bengal is burdened with a revenue deficit of over Rs 3,00,000 crore. The Centre, because of Mamata Banerjee’s whimsical behavior, is not ready to dole out any special economic package as well. The Congress leaders are totally dejected with the Trinamool Congress’s wriggling out of UPA II under bizarre situation.
There is total lawlessness in the state. Taking advantage of the poor opposition, the Trinamool Congress members are going berserk across the state eliminating political rivals. Every day, there are incidents of arson and killings. Police and administration are also turning a blind eye to the situation to protect their jobs. There is total anarchy, and the days of bhadralok (gentlemen) have ended in the state. Still, Mamata Banerjee is not bothered.
Who will teach Didi the etiquette of a chief minister? Well, is she interested to take any lesson from anyone?
