After Mamata Banerjee took oath as Chief Minister in May 2011, ending a 34-year reign of the Left Front, she walked down the few-hundred-metres stretch from Raj Bhavan to Writers’ Buildings — the State Secretariat — with people cheering her on.
Back on the saddle in 2016, with an improved tally and vote share against a unified opposition of the Left and Congress, she wanted to send a stronger message. On Friday, she chose the historic Red Road — the venue for the Republic Day parade — to take oath for her second term. In attendance were thousands of commoners, celebrities, and the entire ‘third front’ leadership. Also watching her swear in were the Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan and Bangladesh Industry Minister Amir Hossain Amu.
“There is a need to have a Federal Front to throw the BJP out of power. We will meet on this,” Lalu told reporters after the ceremony. Abdullah added spice to the speculation about the front’s leadership. “There are a number of people. And Mamata is one of them. I am sure she will work for a united India,” he said.
Jaitley pooh-poohs talk Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who was also present at the oath-taking ceremony, however, maintained that similar attempts in the past had fallen flat. “The federal front is a tried, tested and failed idea. The BJP welcomes any opposition. But for the alternative alliance to be successful, they should have a stable anchor with national presence…not by a small group,” he told in a news conference in the city.
Interestingly, while Jaitley and his Cabinet colleague Babul Supriyo attended the ceremony “to uphold democratic values”, the BJP’s Bengal unit, along with the Congress and the Left, boycotted the programme protesting against the post-poll violence against Opposition parties. “The relationship between governments is Constitutional and we will in letter and spirit abide by the federal structure,” he said.
Mamata backs efforts Talking to reporters after the ceremony, Banerjee thanked everyone for attending the programme. She welcomed moves to form a federal front as a “positive development for democracy”, but avoided questions on the leadership issues. “I have too much work at hand. But, I will support the cause to the extent possible.” When asked about the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Banerjee advised reporters to think about 2016.
Thousands attend The swearing-in was marked by all-round fanfare. Some 20,000-odd people braved the scorching sun to be present at the venue. Many more watched the event at giant screens set up across the city.
Arindam Basak skipped classes at his university to watch the ceremony on Red Road. Smeared in green vermillion, he was taking a ‘selfie’ with the podium in the background. “I am a big fan of Didi. Five years ago, I read in papers how she walked from Raj Bhavan. This time I wanted to see if for myself,” he said.