Bengal has been at the center of Indian politics for centuries and it is still keeping the political environment of the nation boiling as the CM of Bengal Mamata Banerjee attended the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting on Saturday. The tussle between the Centre and Bengal was evident after the meeting.
The news became a headline because Mamata Didi was seen leaving the meeting midway as she claimed her mic was MUTED during the meeting. She also claimed that it was a deliberate attempt to silence her as she was trying to voice her opinions freely.
Also, this became a news item because the meeting was being ‘Boycotted’ by the INDI Alliance block. How and Why Mamata Banerjee, CM of Bengal, attended the meeting was a shocker for everyone attending as well as reporting the event.
Chosen not to attend the Niti Aayog meeting on Saturday, but Banerjee said she thought their concerns had to be heard on a unified platform.
“They (BJP) have formed the government, but they don’t have people’s mandate. This is the first time after the BJP came in 2014 that they have not formed the government as a single party,” said the Trinamool Congress chief, whose party is a constituent of the INDIA bloc.
This article points towards the major role that Bengal has played in the history and culture of India. As mentioned earlier, it has been the center of Indian Politics. However, today, it is standing Against the Central Government of India. So, let’s dig deep, and by deep we mean really deep into the pre-independence and post-independence Political history of Bengal.
History of Bengal from the 1800s
Early 1800s: Bengal was a critical region under British rule, significantly contributing to India’s economic and cultural life.
- Bengal Renaissance (late 18th – early 20th century): This was a period of cultural, social, intellectual, and artistic revival. Key figures included:
- Raja Rammohan Roy: Known as the “Father of the Bengal Renaissance,” he championed social reforms like the abolition of sati and child marriage.
- Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar: A key advocate for women’s education and widow remarriage.
- Rabindranath Tagore: Nobel laureate in Literature, his work in poetry, music, and education had a global impact.
- Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay: Author of “Vande Mataram,” which became a national song during India’s independence movement.
Partition of Bengal (1905):
Initiated by the British to divide and rule the Indian State for their greed, it created Eastern Bengal, Assam, and Western Bengal. The partition was annulled in 1911 due to strong protests. But it had accomplished what it had aimed. Today, we live in a world where there are two Bengals.
Freedom Movement:
Many of the freedom fighters who gave their lives for the nation came from Bengal. It became the center of revolution (both armed and unarmed). The Bengali thinkers in those times were revered by the nation as well as the world. We know that mentioning just two names from Bengal in the freedom fighters section might anger some people. But we want you to know that we are working on something special about Bengal which will be released soon. that’s why, we are focusing only on the two names that were highlighted in the Indian political scene in those times were:
- Subhas Chandra Bose: A prominent leader who formed the Indian National Army (INA) to fight British rule.
- Chittaranjan Das: An influential nationalist leader who mentored Subhas Chandra Bose and played a vital role in the freedom struggle.
Post-Independence Politics of Bengal
Congress Era (1947-1977)
Following India’s independence and the partition of Bengal in 1947, West Bengal became a state of India, and East Bengal became part of Pakistan (later Bangladesh). This partition led to massive demographic shifts and migrations. The Indian National Congress initially governed West Bengal. Notable leaders during this period included Bidhan Chandra Roy, the second Chief Minister, who was instrumental in developing the state’s infrastructure and healthcare systems. Prafulla Chandra Sen focused on agricultural reforms, which were critical in stabilizing the state’s rural economy.
Left Front Rule (1977-2011)
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) led the Left Front coalition that ruled West Bengal for 34 years. Jyoti Basu, the longest-serving Chief Minister, is renowned for his land reforms and industrialization efforts. However, his tenure was also marred by allegations of fostering a culture of political violence to maintain power. The Left Front’s dominance was characterized by violent clashes with opposition parties, notably the Congress and later the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, Basu’s successor, continued to push for modernization and industrialization. However, his administration faced severe backlash over land acquisition policies, especially in Singur and Nandigram, leading to significant political turmoil and violence. These incidents highlighted the state’s deep-seated issues with political violence, which has been a recurring theme in Bengal’s political landscape.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) Era (2011-Present)
Mamata Banerjee, a former Congress leader, founded the TMC in 1998. She emerged as a formidable political force, leading her party to victory in the 2011 state elections, ending the Left Front’s long rule. Her tenure has focused on social welfare schemes and infrastructural development. Significant initiatives include the Kanyashree Prakalpa, aimed at improving the status and well-being of girls through financial assistance for education, and the Sabuj Sathi scheme, which provides bicycles to school students to promote education.
However, Mamata Banerjee’s administration has also been plagued by accusations of political violence. The TMC has been accused of using muscle power to maintain its grip on power, a tactic reminiscent of the previous Left Front government. The state’s political culture has seen violent confrontations between TMC and BJP workers, particularly during elections, reflecting the deeply entrenched violence in Bengal’s politics.
Current Political Scenario in Bengal
Current Political Scenario
Mamata Banerjee’s tenure as Chief Minister since 2011 has been marked by frequent clashes with the central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, over federal policies and resource allocation. The state’s political culture, already volatile, was further inflamed by significant violence following the 2021 assembly elections. Both the TMC and BJP accused each other of voter intimidation, booth capturing, and attacks on political opponents. This culture of political violence has historical roots and remains a persistent issue during elections.
Recent Major Violence Cases in West Bengal Under Mamata’s Leadership
The state’s political violence, historically rooted, has seen significant incidents under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership:
- Post-2021 Assembly Elections: The elections were marred by widespread violence. Allegations and counter-allegations of attacks on political workers, voter intimidation, and booth capturing were rampant. This period saw numerous violent clashes between TMC and BJP supporters, leading to a highly charged and hostile political environment.
- Nandigram Incident (2007): Although predating Mamata’s tenure as CM, the Nandigram protests against land acquisition policies under the CPI(M) regime were a critical factor in her political ascent. The violent crackdown on protesters left a lasting impact on Bengal’s political narrative.
- Bhatpara Violence (2019): Clashes between TMC and BJP workers in Bhatpara during the Lok Sabha elections resulted in multiple deaths and injuries, highlighting the intense rivalry and violent confrontations between the two parties.
Analysis:
The ongoing tussle between the Centre and Bengal is emblematic of deeper issues within Indian federalism, highlighting the challenges of governance in a diverse and populous democracy. Mamata Banerjee’s administration continues to assert state autonomy while seeking more equitable resource distribution from the central government, reflecting broader national debates on state versus central powers. The political dynamics in Bengal will significantly influence national politics, particularly as the BJP seeks to expand its footprint in the eastern state.
After the results of the Indian Elections 2024, the power under Mamata Banerjee’s TMC has increased as it became one of the worst-performing states for BJP poll-wise. The national BJP Cadre is now looking to strengthen their position in Bengal but they have been failing for a long time now. The recent NITI Aayog meeting had nothing to do with State politics. But Didi is Didi, you can hate her, you can like her, but you cannot ignore her.
Our Opinion:
Democracy has been a major point of discussion for many years in the Indian Political Scenario. People from around the world are commenting on how shiny the Indian Democracy is. We celebrate this democracy almost every year as the election cycle in India never ends.
PM Modi has been dominating the Political scene not just in India but in every country that he visits. Recently, he made headlines when he visited Russia for his Annual Bilateral Meeting in 2024. The world was not happy. We had to face stern comments from the US and the rest of the world.
But they all forget one thing. PM Modi has said it innumerable times in public and during his interviews. The world must recognize the fact that they are dealing with a “NEW INDIA”. We will not be dictated by anyone or any nation. We will not be scared to express what we feel on the international stage and We will do what we feel is best for the nation.
We are the world’s 5th largest economy and the world’s largest DEMOCRACY. No matter how many tussles we have in the political regime in India, we have the gall to face it and live through it all. The constant debates between the Right wing and the Left wing will go on, but Democracy will stay forever.
For more exciting and truthful coverage of the major geopolitical and national current affairs, read our blogs.
Till the next time
This is Team New India
Signing off…
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