There are any number of arguments advanced by political doomsayers. The Trinamool Congress that Ms Mamata Banerjee leads is too undisciplined organisationally and raw in terms of political culture. It is a one –woman outfit and its leader is notorious for her unpredictable, even whimsical ways. The destiny of a problem-ridden, complex state like West Bengal just cannot be handed over to such people.

Of late, in fact during the past year or so, the situation has changed significantly. True, Ms Banerjee still drops the odd political clanger in the shape of her ill-advised remarks, but not too often these days. The nearer she has got to winning power, she has become more and more circumspect, careful in her reactions and responsible even on her reactions on anything relating to the CPI(M), the proverbial red rag that always sets her adrenaline pumping. Wonder of wonders, she even sends a positive message as to what she intends to do if her party is elected to power. She has already indicated a few steps she intends to implement, no doubt advised by the impressive array of economic advisers and seasoned bureaucrats who support her.

Consider a few of her statements. If elected to power, the authorities will not allow wildcat meetings, rallies and bandhs that play havoc with civic life in the state, a blot on its reputation. The Shahid Minar maidan will be the assigned place for rallies, for which prior police permission would be necessary. Normal life must go on.

For land requisition and new projects, local people will be taken into confidence. The benefits of public good will not happen at their expense. Not only will they get a very lucrative settlement package, at least one job per family and a share if possible in the new project would be assured to land losers.

For hawkers and road encroachers, regulation would be arranged. Their rights to sell their stuff at regulated hours would be ensured, but they would have to keep the environment clean and not take up more than one-third space of a pavement. They would naturally pay taxes to the civic and other authorities, but payments to politically-backed mafias would stop once and for all. So would police blackmail and harassment. As economist Amit Mitra, who may be the next Finance Minister in the event of a Trinamool win explains, “We will not treat hawkers like cannon fodder, leaving them to the mercies of unscrupulous elements, but regulate their trade which they can carry out with honour. It would also help generate fresh revenues for the bankrupt state government.” The state government, may it be noted, deliberately encouraged chaos and mayhem on city roads to help a bunch of political goons. Incidentally they also include some elements within the Trinamool Congress.

Referring to the life and death power enjoyed by the rampaging coal mafia that rules the rich West Bengal coal belt, Ms Banerjee caused some eyebrows to rise when she said that they would be brought under some kind of regulation as well. Promptly, her critics interpreted this to be an indication that illegality was about to be legally enshrined and protected. Not true, say Trinamool leaders. One of them said, “The idea again is to bring their activities under a legal scanner so that the government could earn more revenues, not just leave things at the mercy of mafia, corrupt officials, politicos and police “.

In other words, by seeking to reduce disorder and chaos and introducing general orderliness, Ms Banerjee proposes to address the long standing grievances of the middle classes and the aspirant section of the society, which have been squeezed mercilessly by the ruling Left . It would also help remove the enduring stigma attaching to West Bengal as an uncivilized lawless place.

She also sounds more responsible and less impulsive on the question of how to deal with the opposition. When asked what she would do if say Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee staged a dharna at the state Secretariat? “I would send him tea and biscuits, and water,” was her instant reply. She made a telling point. Years ago when she had done precisely that outside the chamber of then Chief Minister Jyoti Basu, she was unceremoniously thrown out by force, policemen dragging her by the hair and carting her off to the city police headquarters. It is common knowledge that as Minister for Home Bhattacharjee took the hard line , a decision that has come back to haunt him years later !

While observers and commoners feel encouraged by the spectacle of a new, more reserved, balanced Mamata Banerjee, the only disgruntled voices come from the Left, mainly the CPI(M). “We will see how she carries out her projects once we are in the opposition,” thunders Minister Gautam Deb and others down the line. While they have managed to slow down a couple of railway projects, work goes on in some others. If and when she is in power, there is no doubt that things would be handled differently. Ms Banerjee has served notice that she will not put up with destructive “unionism”. This would be music to most ears in the state.

As for the reactions from the CPI(M), they are par for the course. Left leaders have been known for many things during their long tenure, but as bad losers, they have always lacked minimum grace and decency. (IPA Service)