Mamata Banerjee - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Early Life: Mamata Banerjee was born on January 5, 1955, in Kolkata, West Bengal. She comes from a middle-class family and was raised in a political environment as her father was a Congress leader.
- 2. Political Career: Mamata Banerjee started her political career in the 1970s as a youth Congress leader. She later joined the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) party and became its founder in 1998.
- 3. Chief Minister of West Bengal: Mamata Banerjee has served as the Chief Minister of West Bengal since 2011, making her the first woman to hold this position in the state's history.
- 4. Political Ideology: Mamata Banerjee is known for her strong stance against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has been a vocal critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
- 5. Singur and Nandigram Agitations: Mamata Banerjee gained national prominence for her agitations against the acquisition of farmland in Singur and Nandigram for industrial projects during the Left Front government's rule in West Bengal.
- 6. Welfare Schemes: As Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee has implemented several welfare schemes for the people of West Bengal, including the Kanyashree Prakalpa for girl students and the Swasthya Sathi health insurance scheme.
- 7. Electoral Success: Mamata Banerjee and her party, the AITC, have enjoyed significant electoral success in West Bengal, winning multiple state assembly elections under her leadership.
- 8. Controversies: Mamata Banerjee has faced criticism for her handling of political dissent and alleged corruption within her government. She has also been accused of authoritarian tendencies by opposition parties.
- 9. Personal Life: Mamata Banerjee is a lifelong bachelor and is known for her simple lifestyle. She is often seen wearing plain cotton sarees and is known for her austere living habits.
- 10. National Ambitions: Mamata Banerjee has expressed ambitions to play a larger role in national politics and has been seen as a potential leader of a united opposition against the BJP. She recently contested and won the Nandigram assembly seat in the 2021 West Bengal elections.