Is Mamata Banerjee’s Governance in West Bengal Satisfying?

As a lifelong resident of West Bengal, I have always followed the politics of my state from a young age. Having grown up hearing about the greatness of our language, culture, and historical figures such as Netaji, Shri Ramakrishna, and Swami Vivekananda, it is disheartening to see the neglect of the present political situation.

Mamata Banerjee, the current Chief Minister of West Bengal, has been at the helm of the state for a significant portion of my life. Constantly hearing about her contributions, many of us seldom realize the deteriorating state of affairs in our once economically and culturally dominant region.

Political Murder and Crime Statistics

West Bengal has a worrying trend of political violence, with 114 cases of political murders registered between 2011 and 2020, placing it second only to Bihar, which had 150 cases during the same period according to the NCRB reports.

The rate of violent crimes per one lakh population in West Bengal is significantly higher than other states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, with over 51 violent crime incidents for every one lakh persons, second only to Assam.

Crimes against women have also been on the rise, making West Bengal the second-highest state in this category as per the latest NCRB report. Post-election violence has also become a common occurrence, with many instances of BJP workers being killed or injured following the 2021 Bidhansabha elections.

Rural Healthcare and Industrialization

The state's rural healthcare system has failed to meet basic needs, with over 91 percent of rural households lacking tap water connections. The situation has worsened since TMC came to power. The West Bengal Rural Health Survey 2021 shows an increasing trend in vacant doctor and nursing staff positions, with only 8.63 percent of rural households having tap water connections compared to the national average of 37.28 percent.

No new cities have been developed since the founding by BC Roy, and Durgapur and Asansol remain tier 2 cities, making West Bengal's urban development stagnant. Industrialization has primarily benefited Kolkata, while rural areas continue to struggle with various problems.

Welfare Schemes and Corruption

TMC's so-called welfare schemes like Lakhsmir Bhandar Kanya Sree have created a dependency among the poor, making them vote for her despite the evident corruption and lack of transparency. BJP, despite being in power for a short period, has shown significant growth, indicating changing voter behavior.

The political environment in West Bengal is fraught with rigging and violence, making it difficult for the opposition to contest fairly. TMC supports ballot rigging given the ease with which it can be done. Middle-class citizens often fear retaliation from TMC goons when voicing their concerns, perpetuating the cycle of vote-buying and corruption.

In conclusion, while the situation under previous communist regimes was undoubtedly horrendous, the current TMC rule seems no better, if not worse. The people of West Bengal deserve better governance and a more transparent political environment free from violence and corruption.