So, Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has done the impossible: Removed the CPI(M)-led Left Front from power in West Bengal. The ruling CPI(M) which was considered invincible has been routed. One woman has demolished the Red Fort.
Heavyweight Left Front leaders, including chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, industry minister Nirupam Sen, state housing minister Gautam Deb and state finance minister Asim Dasgupta had to bite the dust. The 55-year old Trinamul Congress chief spoke about the reasons for the Left Front’s humiliating exit and factors which paved the way for her party’s victory. She also unveiled the plans and programmes of her future government.
Q: What in your opinion is the reason for the Left Front’s rout?
A: They have deviated from their own Leftist ideology. They have been totally isolated from the people. To remain in power, they used muscle power and unleashed terror on those who dared to raise their voices against their tyranny. They targeted even farmers and labourers whose saviour they used to claim themselves to be.
Q: Did you expect this kind of massive victory?
A: This is not my victory. This is the victory of the people. This is the utsav of democracy. For so long, the people had not been allowed to exercise their franchise in a fair and free manner. This time the people got a chance to vote and they voted for paribartan because they wanted to come out of the repressive CPI(M) rule. In fact, it can be said that today Bengal has achieved second independence.
Q: Even chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee lost. Your comment.
A: They had to pay a price for their arrogance and misbehaviour. When they realised that the people were eagerly seeking change, they resorted to slander and character assassination but their strategy boomeranged. (Some CPI(M) leaders, including Anil Basu, made highly offensive comments against Ms Banerjee in their election speeches. Mr Basu was censured by the Election Commission).
Q: There are fears that there can be repercussions if the Trinamul Congress wins the election.
A: These are baseless rumours. I have been saying that we want badal (change) not badla (revenge). It is the CPI(M) which believes in politics of violence. Trinamul Congress is against all kinds of violence. We want peace to prevail not only in this state but the entire world. In the past three years, we won several important polls: panchayat, Lok Sabha, civic elections and Assembly bypolls. But we never allowed our workers to go berserk. Even after these Assembly polls eight of our workers have been killed but we have been persistently appealing for peace and patience.
Q: You defeated the Left Front in Bengal and Jayalalitha’s AIADMK defeated Karunanidhi’ DMK. Is this election a manifestation of women’ empowerment.
A: Please do not compare our victory with that in Tamil Nadu. Unlike Bengal, power changes hands in the southern state. We have got this victory after a 34-year-long struggle which is why I have described it as second independence. Moreover, I do not like to be viewed as a woman leader: I am a leader period. I do not like this gender classification because I consider myself a member of human family.
Q: In Uttar Pradesh, land acquisition for development has triggered a huge stir. You had spearheaded a movement in Singur and Nandigram. Now that you are going to form a government, how will you tackle this thorny issue?
A: My stand remains unchanged: there should be no forcible acquisition of farmland. I had observed 26 day hungerstrike against forcible land acquisition in Singur from unwilling farmers. Now I will talk to the Centre and seek a new land policy.
Q: What about industry?
A: We are not anti-industry. This was a false propaganda of the CPI(M). In our scheme of things both agriculture and industry will flourish together.
Q: What will be your government’s priorities?
A: Good governance and development. As we have promised in our election manifesto we will try to address all the problems which the people of the state are facing today. We will pay immediate attention to health and education. Another priority will also be to restore total democracy and rule of law. We will give an efficient and transparent governance. And what will distinguish our administration from the outgoing one is: ours will be totally free from any political pressure.
Q: What is the big challenge?
A: The empty coffers of the state. The Left Front government is leaving behind a bankrupt state with a staggering debt of `2 lakh crores. This is a very big challenge but with the blessings of the people, we will meet it head on.
Q: Will you give us an idea about your probable Cabinet of ministers?
A: We have not yet given it a thought.
Q: The Congress has also won 41 seats. Are you inviting them to join the government?
A: Certainly. I would like both the Congress and another ally SUCI to join the government. Pranabda (Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee) is arriving on Saturday and I will urge him to let the Congress join the government.
Q: Now that you will take charge as the chief minister in the state what are your plans for the railway ministry?
A: We would like to keep the portfolio because we have done so much good work in the department. For the first time, we have added 710 km of railway tracks and we have earned an additional profit.