Ever since the big announcement of demonetization of high
value-currency notes, the series of the outbursts and vituperative tirade of
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee undeniably followed a pattern. While
Modi with outstanding financial reform made an impeccable impression on common
man whose lives were jolted by vicious cycle of corruption Banerjee denounced
it as anti-poor. The political opportunism didn’t end there. She reached out to
opposition parties including her avowed political enemies to build pressure enough
momentum to oppose demonetization. She unabashedly persisted that country was
going through financial emergency.
Notwithstanding the abysmal support for the Jan Akrosh Diwas called by the
opposition parties against demonetization, Banerjee continued to denounce the
drive. Unlike other parties that criticized poor execution of demonetization,
she called for an immediate roll back. But now the political frenzy has stooped
to new lows where her irrational political fears are conspicuous by the
ludicrous and baseless allegations. From
the charges of conspiracy to kill her to staging of coup and illusionary fears
of a civil war her scandalous allegations against central government invariably
reflects her political frustration.
On Thursday, Trinamool Congress created ruckus in the
Parliament alleging that Central government was hatching a conspiracy to kill
her. They continued that the Indigo flight that was carrying Banerjee was low
on fuel and was intentionally made to hover the airport. Crying hoax, the TMC
demanded an explanation from the Civil Aviation Minister, who clarified that
owing to the decongestion at the airport, the jet had to wait. The airline
officials said that, “the fuel on arrival had more than minimum diversion
fuel”. They added that “IndiGo captain at no stage declared a fuel priority or
an emergency”. Government subsequently ordered an inquiry to probe the charges
made by TMC that two other flights of Air India and Spice Jet had also called
in with same problem. TMC linked this conspiracy to Banerjee’s stiff opposition
to demonetization. Interestingly, this
is not the first-time Banerjee made such vague allegations. In 2014 at the
height of investigations into Sarada Chit fund she cried that vested groups are
making attempts on her life.
Now the hysterical frenzy of the mercurial chief minister rock-bottomed
when she cried of a military coup to unseat her from power. It emerges that
Banerjee on finding armed battalion at various toll gates across West Bengal locked
herself for over 30 hours in secretariat on the pretext of saving democracy. She
came down heavily on the routine vehicle counting exercise undertaken in the
eastern states by the military. Banerjee charged that it is “a clear violation of rules and
understanding, Army has been deployed without informing the
democratically-elected government. This is very bad. The army had come all the
way to the Kona Express Way near the State Secretariat as well. The central
government is trying to create a civil war like situation in the country. This
is against constitution. The Centre is trying to bulldoze us. We will fight it
legally”. Perhaps for the first time in Independent India’s history had any
chief minister made such wild and reckless allegations against the center. The
paranoia and the intense obsessive histrionics clearly jeopardized the
credibility of the constitutional position she holds and mirrored her political
bankruptcy. By questioning the ethos of Indian Army she scored a self-goal and
annihilated all hopes of catapulting herself onto the national political arena.
Indian Army besides having a formidable reputation of supreme valor and sacrifice
is revered World over for upholding the democratic values. Most of the
countries that obtained independence from colonial regimes had embraced
democracy. But majority, had succumbed to the overdrive of military forces
where elected civilian governments were reduced to execute nominal
administrative services. Our western neighbor is best example of such scenario.
With her orchestrated paranoia Banerjee casted aspersions on Armed Forces which
might be deleterious to the democratic fabric of a vast country like India.
While hysterical meltdown of politicians are desperate attempts to launch and
relaunch themselves in desperate situations, certain institutions must be
spared of blame and suspicion. Indian democracy is being overstretched nowadays
for dubious political ends. Common man is flabbergasted by the theatrics and
disgusting obsession of politicians for power. Political parties are
outcompeting each other to touch new lows.
Defence Minister in response to the sinister campaign
launched by the TMC indicated that local authorities were informed of the
routine exercise and that necessary approvals were sought. In fact, this kind
of exercises are regularly undertaken in states like Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh
and Bihar. He added that, “It is shocking that a chief minister is saying this.
The Army’s deployment is a part of routine exercise going on for last 15-20
years. Even last year it was held on Nov 19 to 21st”. He dismissed
the allegations that Centre didn’t inform the State authorities. Addressing the
concerns of Banerjee, Eastern Command released a series of letters to confirm
that Army had informed the state. The political slugfest of Banerjee was
supported by Congress, AAP and BSP. Congress Party which had been in power for
six decades questioning the deployment of Army is ironical.
Moreover, as Banerjee tries to project herself as a plausible
prime ministerial candidate for 2019 elections creating ruckus in Parliament
with frivolous allegations, the exercise might be counterproductive. Her political image as a street fighter and an
inveterate revolutionary might have won her overwhelming majority in West
Bengal, but her tenure as the Central Minister holding various portfolios
(Railways, Coal and Human Resources) was appalling. Her political career is
muddled by several controversies and frequent tantrums, resignation dramas
which resonate her personality. Her intolerance to contrary opinions, lack of governance
skills, appeasement of minorities, concessions to vote banks, and flippant
attitude might hardly appeal to people beyond the borders of West Bengal.
Further, the clear deterioration of West Bengal and its fall into abyss of the
financial mess and religious polarization testimonies her failures as a chief
minister. In short, she is one of the most ineligible person for the job of
Prime Minister. So, her cries of political vendetta might logically have any
takers. Moreover, the country hasn’t forgotten her party’s involvement in the
Sarada Chitfund and sudden increase of deposits in Bengal (the highest recorded
so far across India) too rises several doubts. Notwithstanding these, if
Banerjee continues to stir new controversies with fanatical allegations, she
might soon earn severe censure and rebuke of Indian public.
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