Mamata gets 'best among great Bengalis' award

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was on Wednesday presented the Serar Sera Bengali (the best among the great Bengalis) award.

Banerjee was selected for the award for her unwavering long struggle despite all odds and setbacks to dislodge the Left Front, culminating in her success to usher in parivartan (change) in the state after 34 years, the citation claimed.

The first woman chief minister of the state, however, said she considered the love and blessings of the people as her greatest award.

"My life is with the people. This award seems a bit heavy to me. My best award comes from the blessings, good wishes and love I get from the people," Banerjee said.

Asked whether the Communist Party of India-Marxist-led (CPI-M) Left Front would have succeeded in giving her a stronger fight if it had pitted a woman against her, Banerjee refused to hazard a guess.

"The masses are supreme in a democracy. Everything should be left to the people. Let them accept or reject".