Mamata Baneerjee stresses on honesty and impartiality
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury
The mercurial Mamata Baneerjee has begun her much-awaited role as the chief minister of the important Indian state of West Bengal with a style devoid of the usual pomp and grandeur. She stressed on more work for the key persons in the government and highlighted the need for utilising the talents for the sake of good performance and development. Characteristically, she is shunning even the normal glamour and facilities associated with the post of the chief minister and evidently seeking to set examples of austerity and high moral standards in public life. If the maxim "morning shows the day" holds good, then it may be concluded that the new government in West Bengal and the person at the helm of it are determined to earn people's confidence in running the government. Conscious of the simple life and probity of most of the leaders of the erstwhile Left Front government that has just lost power mainly because of the "anti-incumbency" factor and some kind of complacency for being in the helm for long 34 years, Mamata's government is taking no chance at all. It is quite apparent that the new Trinamul Congress and Congress alliance government is keen to go an extra mile in terms of honesty and dedication compared to its predecessor and the task has become a kind of bounden duty, particularly because of the chief minister, who is at the vanguard of the worth-following examples. Both as a politician and federal minister, she has earlier displayed great aplomb in setting examples of leading a modest life, and now in a bigger role is more serious to make her point in these areas. As such, it is not surprising that the new chief minister of West Bengal is not using her official car and opted for the earlier ordinary one even though her security may be compromised. She attended the first day in the office till midnight and returned to her desk the next day, which happened to be a holiday, and exhorted the ministers to take their work as a "mission" to achieve the objectives. Besides, the new ministers have been asked to refrain from any wrongdoings like favouritism and nepotism - let alone corruption - and they all appear to have been vastly encouraged by their leader. Indeed, it is simply splendid and worth emulating in the South Asian context as a largely contrasting scenario in this respect persists in all these countries including India and beyond. Whatever be the success and failures of the Mamata Baneerjee's government in the politically advanced West Bengal, the chief minister is likely to be remembered for her modest lifestyle and for her dedication and cleanliness in public life. This is bound to impact favourably in the larger political domain. Mamata has donated Rupees 10 million to the cash-strapped state government fund after becoming chief minister and this money is her personal savings from the paintings she sold of her own works. She also spent her own money during the election campaign. The donated amount may be a drop in the ocean, but it is more than commendable in spirit. At a time when the Indian federal government is struggling to explain to the people a string of corruption-related scandals involving the heavyweights of the political and administrative spectrum with some of them landing in jail, the settings of the new West Bengal chief minister will certainly provide a whiff of fresh air in the scam-ridden environment. She was twice Indian minister for railways and every time she showed the way how to remain modest and humble. She travelled like an ordinary passenger and paid for even a cup of tea from her own allowances. Mamata Baneerjee, riding a crest of popularity, is now in the "Writers Building" or in Bangla "Mashakaran" - the seat of the state government. She took the oath on May 20 afternoon wearing her typical ordinary saree and sandals (chappal). True to her promise, from the Governor's house, she got off from the transport at one stage and walked down to the "Mahakaran". Her own house at "Kalighat" is a modest accommodation that lacked the fanfare and even the security of a federal minister, a position she held for last more than two years till stepping into a new role. Mamata says that she is an ordinary person and an average Indian, who is capable of rising to the top for the cause of serving the people. There is hardly any denying the fact that "virtually from nowhere, she is now everywhere". As a young youth Congress leader, she revolted against the mighty Congress leadership and formed the 'Trinamul Congress' in 1998 and was the nemesis of both the communist government in the state and the Congress. Mamata weathered many a storm and at times it appeared that she may be lost in the political wilderness. She bounced back and reached the pinnacle within 13 years of a separate political identity negotiating a really rocky course. What distinguishes her from Jayaram Jayalalitha, Mayabati or other women chief ministers in India or successful political leaders is that she was practically alone without any big support from any quarters barring the people. In the just concluded state elections in which she won a landslide, the Trinamul forged an alliance with the Congress and both were benefitted. But it is the Congress of Sonia Gandhi that derived enormous advantage from Mamata's popularity. Undeniably, the distinction between being in the opposition and government is very crucial. How Mamata's government will fare remains to be seen and things will be judged by success and failures. The life of Mamata Baneerjee both as a politician and chief minister cannot be a bed of roses all the way. There are thorns as well. She also committed blunders and mistakes like once forging an alliance with the BJP, perceived widely as communal. Nevertheless, she and her government are likely to be remembered fondly in the manner in which they have started the quest for welfare of the people by abandoning mundane aspirations. Hopefully, this approach in public life will be maintained regardless of the eventual gains or inadequacies of the new West Bengal government and many others should follow their noble ideals. .................................................. The writer can be reached at email : zaglulbss@yahoo.com
The mercurial Mamata Baneerjee has begun her much-awaited role as the chief minister of the important Indian state of West Bengal with a style devoid of the usual pomp and grandeur. She stressed on more work for the key persons in the government and highlighted the need for utilising the talents for the sake of good performance and development. Characteristically, she is shunning even the normal glamour and facilities associated with the post of the chief minister and evidently seeking to set examples of austerity and high moral standards in public life. If the maxim "morning shows the day" holds good, then it may be concluded that the new government in West Bengal and the person at the helm of it are determined to earn people's confidence in running the government. Conscious of the simple life and probity of most of the leaders of the erstwhile Left Front government that has just lost power mainly because of the "anti-incumbency" factor and some kind of complacency for being in the helm for long 34 years, Mamata's government is taking no chance at all. It is quite apparent that the new Trinamul Congress and Congress alliance government is keen to go an extra mile in terms of honesty and dedication compared to its predecessor and the task has become a kind of bounden duty, particularly because of the chief minister, who is at the vanguard of the worth-following examples. Both as a politician and federal minister, she has earlier displayed great aplomb in setting examples of leading a modest life, and now in a bigger role is more serious to make her point in these areas. As such, it is not surprising that the new chief minister of West Bengal is not using her official car and opted for the earlier ordinary one even though her security may be compromised. She attended the first day in the office till midnight and returned to her desk the next day, which happened to be a holiday, and exhorted the ministers to take their work as a "mission" to achieve the objectives. Besides, the new ministers have been asked to refrain from any wrongdoings like favouritism and nepotism - let alone corruption - and they all appear to have been vastly encouraged by their leader. Indeed, it is simply splendid and worth emulating in the South Asian context as a largely contrasting scenario in this respect persists in all these countries including India and beyond. Whatever be the success and failures of the Mamata Baneerjee's government in the politically advanced West Bengal, the chief minister is likely to be remembered for her modest lifestyle and for her dedication and cleanliness in public life. This is bound to impact favourably in the larger political domain. Mamata has donated Rupees 10 million to the cash-strapped state government fund after becoming chief minister and this money is her personal savings from the paintings she sold of her own works. She also spent her own money during the election campaign. The donated amount may be a drop in the ocean, but it is more than commendable in spirit. At a time when the Indian federal government is struggling to explain to the people a string of corruption-related scandals involving the heavyweights of the political and administrative spectrum with some of them landing in jail, the settings of the new West Bengal chief minister will certainly provide a whiff of fresh air in the scam-ridden environment. She was twice Indian minister for railways and every time she showed the way how to remain modest and humble. She travelled like an ordinary passenger and paid for even a cup of tea from her own allowances. Mamata Baneerjee, riding a crest of popularity, is now in the "Writers Building" or in Bangla "Mashakaran" - the seat of the state government. She took the oath on May 20 afternoon wearing her typical ordinary saree and sandals (chappal). True to her promise, from the Governor's house, she got off from the transport at one stage and walked down to the "Mahakaran". Her own house at "Kalighat" is a modest accommodation that lacked the fanfare and even the security of a federal minister, a position she held for last more than two years till stepping into a new role. Mamata says that she is an ordinary person and an average Indian, who is capable of rising to the top for the cause of serving the people. There is hardly any denying the fact that "virtually from nowhere, she is now everywhere". As a young youth Congress leader, she revolted against the mighty Congress leadership and formed the 'Trinamul Congress' in 1998 and was the nemesis of both the communist government in the state and the Congress. Mamata weathered many a storm and at times it appeared that she may be lost in the political wilderness. She bounced back and reached the pinnacle within 13 years of a separate political identity negotiating a really rocky course. What distinguishes her from Jayaram Jayalalitha, Mayabati or other women chief ministers in India or successful political leaders is that she was practically alone without any big support from any quarters barring the people. In the just concluded state elections in which she won a landslide, the Trinamul forged an alliance with the Congress and both were benefitted. But it is the Congress of Sonia Gandhi that derived enormous advantage from Mamata's popularity. Undeniably, the distinction between being in the opposition and government is very crucial. How Mamata's government will fare remains to be seen and things will be judged by success and failures. The life of Mamata Baneerjee both as a politician and chief minister cannot be a bed of roses all the way. There are thorns as well. She also committed blunders and mistakes like once forging an alliance with the BJP, perceived widely as communal. Nevertheless, she and her government are likely to be remembered fondly in the manner in which they have started the quest for welfare of the people by abandoning mundane aspirations. Hopefully, this approach in public life will be maintained regardless of the eventual gains or inadequacies of the new West Bengal government and many others should follow their noble ideals. .................................................. The writer can be reached at email : zaglulbss@yahoo.com