Who is Mamata Banerjee?

One woman army – this is how Mamata Banerjee, the mercurial Chief Minister of West Bengal, can be described in short. Mamata has the distinction of achieving what was supposed to be next to impossible in Indian polity – demolishing the 34 year old citadel of left front government in West Bengal. What the congress could not do in 34 years, Mamata did single-handedly in just a short span of 13 years.Mamata Banerjee is the story of a passionate and fiery lady who proved all her critics wrong with just two companions - her sheer commitment to the goal and a ‘never-say-die' spirit. She was laughed at by her critics, called names by Marxist demagogues, physically attacked by political opponents, thrown out of state secretariat in full public glare by a government that swore in the name of egalitarian society but it was Mamata, with rock like determination, who refused to give up and concede defeat. Sweet revenge came her way when she created history by becoming the first woman Chief Minister of West Bengal. Let's have a look at the journey of a simple next-to-door girl who had a vision for her compatriots that inspired her to enter the treacherous terrains of politics and she came back with flying colours despite all odds pitted against her.Early life:Mamata Banerjee was born on 5th January, 1955 in Kolkata to Promileswar Banerjee and Gayatri Devi. She was shattered when her father died at an early age. The untimely death of her father was traumatic but inculcated in her the courage to face all odds in life. She was interested in politics since her school days and used to debate on major national and social issues.She completed her graduation with history honours from Jogamaya Devi College in south Kolkata. She also has a Masters degree in Islamic history from Calcutta university in addition to a law degree from Jogesh Chandra Chaudhuri Law College, Kolkata. She is unmarried as, according to her, she never got the time to think about settling down.Political Career:Mamta had her baptisation into politics when she joined Congress party in early 1970s. She was noticed quickly and was made general secretary of mahila congress. Her moment of fame arrived when she defeated the veteran communist leader Somnath Chatterjee from Jadavpur Lok Sabha constituency in 1984 general elections. She lost 1989 election due to anti-congress wave sweeping the state in the aftermath of Bofors scandal. In 1991 general elections, she shifted to Calcutta south Lok sabha constituency and emerged victorius. She retained the seat in the1996, 1998, 1999, 2004 and 2009 general elections. In 1991, she was appointed Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development, Youth Affairs and Sports, and Women and Child Development in Narasimha Rao government. While Mamta fought Lok Sabha elections and served in the Union cabinet, her eyes were always set on Bengal politics. Naional politics, to Mamata, was just a mean to achieve her bigger goal of dethroning the left front government in Bengal. In 1993, she was relieved of her ministry as she fell out with Congress leadership on matters relating to internal politics of West Bengal. At this juncture, Mamata got isolated in the party. She accused the congress party of reducing itself to the B-tam of CPM. Mamata refused to be intimidated by CPM goons who attacked her on a few occasions. In 1991, Lalu Alam, a CPM activist, attacked her physically and her leg was fractured.In 1993, when Mamata Banerjee was protesting in front of the then Chief Minister Jyoti Basu's office, she was physically hackled and thrown out of state secretariat Writer's Building.In 1997, she finally resigned from the Congress party and laid the foundation of All India Trinamool Congress. Riding on the charisma of Mamta banerjee, Trinamool caught the fancy of common man very soon and replaced Congress as the main opposition party.In 1999, she joined the Vajpayee led NDA government at the centre and became the Railway Minister. In 2000, Trinamool Congress took over the reins of Kolkata Municipal Corporation, with Subrata Mukherjee as the Mayor. Very soon she realised that she could not achieve the goal of unseating left front govt in West Bengal as long as she was allied with BJP given its anti-Muslim image. Alliance with BJP was proving to be a big hindrance in her scheme of things as West Bengal had a 29 percent Muslim population.In early 2001, she resigned from the NDA governemt in the aftermath of Tehelka expose and joined hands with Congress party for 2001 assembly elections. The move, however, came a cropper as the alliance could win only 86 seats.In 2004, she returned to the NDA government and held the Coal and Mines portfolio till the Indian general election of 20 May 2004. In 2004 general elections, she was the only Trinamool leader to have won a LS seat from West Bengal.In 2005, her party lost control of Kolkata Municipal Corporation and the sitting mayor defected from her party. In 2006 assembly elections, Trinamool was once again defeated comprehensively by the left front. Trinamool could win only 30 seats.Turning Point:It was Singur agitation of 2008 which provided impetus to Mamta's career and changed the political discourse of West Bengal. Residents of Singur were protesting against forcible acquisition of their land for Tata Motor's Nano project and Mamata decided to join their stir. She was stopped on her way to Singur. Trinamool Congress called a major strike and Mamata's Trinamool Congress positioned itself as a viable alternative to left front government taking full advantage of simmering public discontent against the government's high handedness in this matter.It proved to be a turning point in Mamata's career.The left front government's mishandling of public protest at Nandigram against SEZ related land acuisation further boosted the prospects of Trinamool congress as a preferred alternative to left in the state.Ascendancy:Mamata's Trinamool Congress emerged as the major force in West Bengal politics for the first time in 2009 parliamentary election when it bagged 19 Lok Sabha seats.In 2009, Mamata once again joined the Union cabinet and was handed over Railway Ministrty.In the 2010 Municipal Elections in West Bengal, TMC won Kolkata Municipal Corporation by a margin of 62 seats. TMC also won Bidhan Nagar Corporation in 16-9 seats margin.In 2011, Mamata Banerjee created history when her party Trinamool Congress swept the assembly elections and 34 year long left front front rule came to an end.Defining Moment:Mamata Banerjee's defining moment came on May 20, 2011 when she took oath as 11th Chief Minister of West Bengal.Critics say her temperament is not suitable for the post of Chief Minister but she is marching ahead undeterred, unruffled.