The fire brand politician reincarnated as the Indian Railway Minister, Mamata Banerjee presented her third budget in the Parliament and took on the challenge of Public Private Partnership head on. Indian Railways is looking at developing 50 world class stations as public private partnership projects. In addition she proposes to set up committees to turn social projects into economically viable proposition. The strength of her Budget speech this year is perhaps best assessed on the parameters of global-local approach and the profits that show up in Indian Railways’ balance sheet next year.
The most credible introduction to the Railway Minister comes from none other than Rahul Gandhi. The Gandhi icon said, Mamata is a people’s person- not that Ratan Tata would be ready to vouch for Rahul’s word on Mamata. What stays undisputed however is that the veteran politician’s most significant personality streak is ‘populism’. Yes, Mamata Banerjee is a populist leader and hence the right person to push UPA’s ‘aam aadmi’ agenda- within the constraints of budget outlays that is. She is also the right person to cut Left forces to size- a fact duly established in just concluded General Elections.
As for the railways, Banerjee promised a judicious mix of austerity, social justice and sops and seems to have missed out on balanced regional impetus. Nevertheless Banerjee’s 60% concession to students; emphasis on ‘Janta khana’; train tickets disbursement from 5000 post offices; mobile ticket vending machines- all these establish beyond doubt that the lady keeps a tab on the pulse of the masses.
Not long back Mamata Banerjee was considered as a ‘political oddball’, says a BBC report. Tata’s Nano and the battle that ensued in Singur almost proved to be a rebirth for her.
