The Kolkata rape and murder cases show no signs of stopping in West Bengal. The state's handling of these incidents has caused significant discontent among the public and within the ruling party, Trinamool Congress (TMC). However, the state's Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, is an experienced politician who knows how to turn a losing game into a win. She publicly apologized to the people of West Bengal and expressed her desire for justice for the victim, stating that she is willing to resign for their sake.
1- Attempt to Villainize the Doctors
In the wake of the Kolkata incidents, the striking doctors involved have become a central point of discussion. Mamata Banerjee's approach to the situation has painted the doctors as the villains. Despite the government extending multiple offers for dialogue, the doctors remained steadfast on live streaming the meeting, leading to its cancellation. The state government argued that since the issue was in court, live streaming was not permissible.
Further efforts were made by the state to present the doctors as intransigent. The government had accepted the doctors' demand for Mamata Banerjee's presence in the meeting and expanded the participation to 32 members from an initial 15. However, the doctors persisted on live streaming, refusing to enter the conference hall.
2- Mamata's Last Weapon, the Victim Card
Those familiar with Mamata Banerjee's political strategies know that she wields the victim card as her ultimate weapon. Whenever other tactics fail, she resorts to this approach and renders her opponents powerless. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, she used the victim card extensively against the BJP, accusing Narendra Modi's government of targeting West Bengal and misusing agencies against her administration.
During a CBI raid at the Kolkata Police Commissioner's residence, Mamata Banerjee cast herself as a victim and staged a sit-in, calling it an attack on the Constitution. She repeated this strategy recently, apologizing to the people of Bengal and calling upon the doctors to return to work. She mentioned that despite waiting for two hours, the doctors failed to respond. She was willing to record the entire process for transparency and was ready to share the recording with the Supreme Court's approval.
Mamata Banerjee acknowledged that most doctors were interested in the meeting, but a few wanted to create a deadlock. Despite this, she chose not to enforce ESMA (Essential Services Maintenance Act). She reiterated her willingness to resign for achieving justice for common people, but emphasized that the opponents were only interested in her chair, not justice.
3- Why Mamata Had to Use Her Ultimate Weapon
The situation in West Bengal is beyond control with continued protests and internal dissatisfaction within the party. In Kolkata, the protests are intensifying every night, adding fuel to the fire. Although allegations have been leveled against Mamata's government previously, such as the teacher recruitment scam and coal mine irregularities involving her nephew, she managed to handle them efficiently.
However, the Kolkata rape case has left her unsure of what to do. The growing dissent within the party cadre includes opposition from at least four senior TMC leaders and numerous junior leaders. The Supreme Court has also been critical of her administration. Amidst all this, she has managed to protect her favored Police Commissioner by offering to resign.
