Corruption Shapes Elections but Mamata appears immune

The allegations of corruption and the “Maunibaba” image brought down Manmohan Singh’s government. India cordially greeted the emergence of Narendra Modi. If we take a step further into the past, the Bofors Scandal effectively brought Rajiv Gandhi’s era to an end. History recorded the dramatic rise of V. P. Singh. So, the perception has created whirlwinds in election. In contrast, even the major corruption charges failed to shatter the credibility of Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal. SLST is the latest addition to the string of scams, but still Mamata tricks win elections.

Manmohan Singh expressed remorse, yet hoped that history would not be so cruel to him. V. P. Singh mobilized the nation by accusing Rajiv Gandhi of corruption, and the public accepted his claims. Yet, despite decades of debate, no agency ever proved the Bofors allegations. Ultimately, it’s the perception that prevails. The people hardly bother for its sanctity.

If the perception can bring about such revolutionary changes in Indian politics, how West Bengal remains as an exception with Mamata tricks?

History of West Bengal

We live in that West Bengal where Siddhartha Shankar Ray had the courage to form an inquiry commission against one of his own cabinet colleagues. In the judgment of history, his rule stands as one of the darkest and most disgraceful eras Bengal has ever seen. His role in Emergency and the brutal extra-judicial killings of Naxalites certainly stigmatizes his government. But nobody could never bring any allegations of personal level of corruptions or financial frauds.

The long 34-Year Left regime certainly carries stains of several notorious incidents. Again, nobody could bring any allegations regarding the personal honesty of Jyoti Basu or Buddhadev Bhattacharya. Ironically, the same West Bengal embraces Mamata Banerjee today.

This acceptance persists even after allegations linking her as the biggest beneficiary of the Saradha scam.

Even the recent SLST could hardly stirs her. She is still confident of winning the upcoming assembly election.

Mamata tricks stands apart

In this state, not even a leaf moves without her consent. She asks the audience to consider her as the candidate of all the election constituencies. Yet massive corruption keeps happening without her knowledge, that itself is impossible to believe. Bengal has become a state where neither ministers nor bureaucrats have any independence. Everyone waits for what Mamata Banerjee will say.

Bratya Basu does not have the liberty to announce centralized online admission on his own. He has to wait for the Chief Minister to return from her state tour and announce it herself.

Even he hardly calls a press conference regarding the hilarious SLST. Even if he calls, he does not forget to quote the name of Mamata Banerjee. And that is a part of Mamata tricks.

Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim may increase parking fees, but he has to withdraw them when she orders it. In North Bengal, the Chief Minister distributes relief with her own hands. Mamata Banerjee can orchestrate drama in various ways. She fears the spotlight of the media might move away from her.

Mamata tricks prefers “I” over “We”

Mamata tricks loves to say “I have done it.” She never wants to say “we.” The state cabinet is supposed to share collective responsibility. But she stands apart, above everyone. We have heard that even senior ministers or leaders do not dare to disagree with her. Even we can recall that Partha Chatterjee led a committee of Bu fare hikes. The committee decided a different slab-based fare chart. When the recommended the same to the Mamata Banerjee, she denied and Partha Chatterjee had nothing else to do except accepting her wishes.

Bureaucrats never oppose her either. So, even if SSC remains as an autonomous body, the onus of SLST outrages lies on her. She only wants to hear “yes.” A single “no” makes her furious. She carries the entire burden of state administration and the whole Trinamool party on her own shoulders. Election has become an easy game for her. On top of that, she writes, paints, sings, and publishes books.

How Mamata Banerjee manages time in a 24-hour day to do all this is surely a subject worth researching.

Future of West Bengal

However, we don’t have any intention of character assassination. But we have been raising these as we are the hapless citizen of a state, where she remains as the Chief Minister. The result of such electoral autocracy has been fatal. Today, we can see every sphere of life has become corruption-ridden. The extortion is ruthlessly spreading every corner of the state. The lawlessness has become widespread. Molestation, murder has become a routine headline. When the anarchy becomes the front runner, can we expect a peaceful sleep?

The Cries of jobless in SSC scam or the recent SLST certainly shock all of us. Will it affect the next assembly election or Mamata tricks will triumph over again?

We are also witnessing a strange silence among the people of West Bengal. Today’s “Me First” generation has become highly self-centered. Forget the freedom fighters or the Naxal era, even today’s youth in Bengal remain shockingly silent.  As long as their own house is not burning, they don’t want to think. They don’t want to take to the streets. But we must not forget one truth, when a wildfire spreads, it spares no one.

Therefore, the sooner Bengalis wake up from this hibernation, the better it will be for everyone.