Mamata Banerjee, who began her career as a parliamentarian by humbling the CPI(M) stalwart Somnath Chatterjee at the hustings in 1984, has come a long way. From a perennial Congress rebel, she has recently assumed the leadership of her new party, Trinamool Congress, which she calls the real Congress in West Bengal. Speaking in a less-than-usual explosive manner Mamata spoke about a CPI(M)-Congress conspiracy to ruin her chances in the State, because she represents the only anti-CPI(M) spirit. In an interview with Santanu Banerjee she also explained her party's position vis-a-vis the BJP and the problems her new organisation is facing in the election. Why did the Congress expel you just before the election?
The timing suited their purpose. Despite their criticism of each other, the Left and the present Congress supported the United Front and showed how close they are politically. This understanding between the Congress and the CPI(M) is the reason why the cause of Bengal has beensacrificed with the help of a puppet Pradesh Congress. The Trinamool symbolised the only anti-CPI(M) force in the State and so we became irrelevant in the party, particularly in West Bengal where I have been trying to revive the anti-CPI(M) movement.
How do you claim that your party is the real Congress?
Yes we're the real one. And I believe all real party workers in West Bengal, who have been waiting for a genuine anti-CPI(M) platform, are with us. The West Bengal Congress workers like the people of the State know that only we can bring about the change in the State and that is the reason why when we were expelled, all of them came away from the so-called Congress.
And now you have launched your party...
Whoever thinks that I have launched a new party is wrong. We are the real Congress, I repeat. I think even the people of West Bengal think the same way. And we didn't choose to quit the party, only when the party expelled us then we went for a new party symbol.
Howdo you the rate chances of your party's success?
We are not astrologers. But since we have started our election campaign, if we start counting the heads every election meeting is pulling, then we must say that the popular response is extremely encouraging and we can count on it.
Who would be your greatest enemy in the coming election?
The CPI(M), the party responsible for the misery of the State.
What are your election issues?
Removing the CPI(M) from power and bringing economic and political freedom and prosperity to the State.
It appears strange that you always criticise the CPI(M) and not the other Left parties. Don't you think they are also the part of the system?
Let me explain this to you. One must understand that in this State, it's not the other Left parties, but the CPI(M) which actually rules. You talk to a Forward Block activist or for that anyone from another Left party in the Front, he would tell you about the tyranny, harassment which theCPI(M) subject them to.
So how you are planning to take on the CPI(M) which has such a huge infrastructure to tackle any election?
We also have adequate infrastructure. Let's not forget that we are the real Congress and our leaders, activists and the candidates are all hard-boiled politicians who are quite well-versed in the method which the CPI(M) has been using to win elections for the past 20 years. We survived their gagging, all anti-people and anti-democratic methods that they subjected us to. And it's exactly here that we have the advantage. The CPI(M) leaders and the cadres, who enjoyed power and want to hold on to it by hook or crook, have become morally weak and directionless. They have all, like their leaders soaked in corruption, lost the determination to stick to value-based politics. But we have it in plenty.
While the political issue is removing the CPI)M), what is your economic agenda?
We're working on it. Right now all I can tell you is that we'll emphasise onthe total economic reconstruction of West Bengal.
What is your equation with the BJP? It didn't appear in the list of parties whom you claim have joined the Bangla Bachao Front?
The BJP was never in the Front. And we think there's no confusion about our talks with that party. We also didn't talk about the political alliance with the BJP. All we said that since we don't want the anti-CPI(M) votes to get divided we'll fight the election on 28 seats and the State BJP leaders decided to fight 13 seats and one was kept for Samata Party.
Is there any dissension in the party over seat adjustments? And has two leaders leaving your party due to your links with the BJP forced you to distance yourself from the BJP?
There is no difference in our party on any issues. I think the people have the right to leave a party and join another one according to his or her preferences. We are glad that they left us.
You had implied in an earlier statement that the BJP is notuntouchable...
Let's have some plain speaking. When the Election Commission of the nation doesn't think that the BJP is communal how can I take the responsibility of branding a party as communal. I think it's politically unethical to call any party untouchable only because we have differences with it. If we have differences with it, we must fight it politically.
I don't think any party can afford to be communal in a secular country like India. It's the CPI(M), which is trying to sell the communal card, for it has no other issues and loves calling people communal. They even call me communal when our commitment to the minorities is indisputable. Moreover, I think we have so many issues other than communalism which is no more an issue now.
So what is the latest on your talks with the BJP?
We still do not want the anti-CPI(M) votes to get divided.
Do you think Sonia Gandhi's campaign will have a nation-wide impact which will save the Congress?May be in South but not in North.I wish she came a little earlier.
How do you react to her joining the poll campaign just after you left?
My relation with Mrs Sonia Gandhi is very good. She belongs to a family we respect and love. I don't think her coming a little late in any way has got any thing to do with my expulsion.
There is talk that you may go back to the Congress if she became party president?
I have no comments to make on such hypothetical questions.
But how would you explain your respect for the family and party democracy. Do you believe the leader of a party should always come from a particular family.
They represent a total Indian image. We have now either minority, regional or caste leaders. There are none like the Nehru family who could call themselves Indian in the true sense of the term. Moreover as long as people like them you cannot object.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
