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Mamata Banerjee

Mamata Banerjee is an Indian politician and the ninth Chief Minister of West Bengal. She is the first woman to hold the office and on 19^th May 2016, she became the only women CM to win for two consecutive terms. The thumping victory of the 2016 elections came on the heels of several corruption charges during the end of her tenure as the eighth Chief Minister. In 1997, she dissociated herself from the Indian National Congress party and founded All India Trinamool Congress also known as TMC or AITMC. Popularly called as “Didi”, she created history after the victory in 2011 Legislative Assembly elections of Bengal in which her party was victorious against the 34 year long Left Front government led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) , the longest serving democratically elected communist government in the world. Banerjee also holds the record of being the first woman Railway minister of the country and she has held this position twice. Mamata Banerjee also has held other prominent positions which include Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Minister of Coal, Women and Child Development and Department of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Born on 5^th January 1995 in Kolkata, in a lower middle class Bengali family, Mamta Banerjee’s father was Promileshwar Banerjee and her mother was Smt. Gayatri Devi. Banerjee lost her father at a very early age. She graduated in history from Jogomaya Devi College, Kolkata . Later she earned a master’s degree in Islamic history from Calcutta University. She also has a degree in Education and a degree in law from Kolkata’s Shri Shikshayatan College and Jogesh Chandra Chaudhuri Law College respectively. She was honoured with DLitt from Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology. Banerjee became involved with politics while still in school. She joined the Congress (I) party in West Bengal and served in a variety of positions within the party and in other local party organizations. While studying at the Jogamaya Devi College she established “Chhatra Parishad Unions” the student’s wing of the Congress (I) party and defeated the Democratic Students Union of the Socialist Unity Centre of India. In 1976, she became the general secretary of the state Mahila Congress and held this post till 1980. She was also the secretary of the District Congress Committee of Calcutta South. In 1984, she was first elected to the Lok Sabha as a representative from her home district in south Kolkata. Banerjee became one of India’s youngest parliamentarians ever beating veteran Communist politician Somnath Chaterjee. She also became the General Secretary of the Indian Youth Congress. She lost that seat in 1989 parliamentary elections but regained it in 1991 and was in the office in each election through 2009. Mamata Banerjee was the Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development, Youth Affairs and Sports in the Rao government of 1991. She was discharged of her portfolios after she protested in a rally at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata and announced that she would resign for the government’s indifference towards her proposal to improve sports in the country. In April 1996, she alleged that Congress was behaving as a stooge of CPI (M) in West Bengal and claimed that she was the lone voice of reason and wanted a “clean Congress”. In 1997, she left Congress party and founded the All India Trinamool Congress. The party became the primary opposition to the long standing Communist government in the state but the new party had limited success in the 1998 and 1999 national parliamentary elections but lost nearly all of those seats in the 2004 polls. On 11^th December 1997, Mamta Banerjee became controversial when she held a Samajwadi Party M.P. Daroga Prasad Saroj by the collar and dragged him out of the Lok Sabha to prevent him from protesting against the Women’s Reservation Bill. In 1999, she joined the BJP led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and was allocated to the railways ministry. As the Railway Minister, she introduced new trains, made extension of a few express train services, increased frequency of some trains aimed at developing tourism and also proposed the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation. In 2001 at the Tehelka’s exposure of Operation West End, Mamta Banerjee and her party Trinamool Congress party walked out of the NDA cabinet and allied with the Congress Party for the 2001 West Bengal elections. She walked out of the NDA government in protest of the corruption charges levelled by Tehelka.com against senior ministers of the government. She returned to the NDA government in 2004 and held the Coal and Mines portfolio till the General Elections of 2004. In the 2004 elections, she was the only Trinamool Congress member to win a seat in West Bengal. On 20^th October 2005, she actively protested against the forceful land acquisition for industrialization in West Bengal by the then Left Government led by Buddhadev Bhattacharya. In December 2006 Banerjee waged a 25 day hunger strike and this issue became the catalyst for the party’s return from near political obscurity and it also lead to an increase in the number of Trinamool supporters in West Bengal. The Trinamool Congress Party had a strong showing in the 2009 general elections and joined the Congress party’s ruling coalition as the second largest faction. She became the Railway Minister for the second time in 2009. During her second term as the Railway Minister, she introduced several non-stop Duronto Express trains that connected major cities, other passenger trains and ladies-special trains during her tenure from 31^st May 2009 to 19^th July 2011. The alliance of Trinamool Congress party, Indian National Congress and SUCI in the 2011 legislative elections of West Bengal won 227 seats and this resulted in a washout of the Left Front. On 20^th May 2011 she became the first woman Chief Minister of West Bengal. The second legislative elections were held in 2016 and Trinamool Congress Party won the election with a landslide two third majority. Mamata Banerjee was elected as Chief Minister of West Bengal for the second term. Out of the 293 seats, TMC won 211 seats, the highest win in West Bengal by any party on its own.

A self taught painter and a poet, Mamata Banerjee remained single throughout her life. Throughout her life she maintained an austere lifestyle, always dressing in simple traditional Bengali sarees called ‘tant” without any cosmetics or jewellery. She always has a cotton bag on her shoulder. In May 2013, Mamata Banerjee was voted as the most honest politician of India by the world’s largest anti-corruption coalition called India against Corruption. She is also credited for taking initiatives to solve the longstanding Gorkhaland problem. Mamata Banerjee has written many books in Bengali as well as English. The Time Magazine in 2012 mentioned her among the 100Most Influential People in the World and in September 2012, The Bloomberg Markets magazine marked her as one of the ‘50 Most Influential People in the World of Finance.’

BJP Compares Mamata Banerjee With Pak PM Imran Khan For Not Participating In Yoga Day
India.com News Desk | June 23, 2019 6:49 AM IST
Indore: The International Yoga Day, on June 21, was celebrated all over the world with much enthusia...
BJP Compares Mamata Banerjee With Pak PM Imran Khan For Not Participating In Yoga Day
indiacom
2019-06-22T19:49:13+00:00
2019-06-22T19:49:13+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
West Bengal: Section 144 Imposed in Bhatpara After One Killed in Clashes, CM Mamata Banerjee Calls Urgent Meet
India.com News Desk | June 20, 2019 3:26 PM IST
New Delhi: At least one person has been killed and three others injured in Bhatpara area of West Ben...
West Bengal: Section 144 Imposed in Bhatpara After One Killed in Clashes, CM Mamata Banerjee Calls Urgent Mee
indiacom
2019-06-20T04:26:24+00:00
2019-06-20T12:16:11+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Doc, Model Assault: Kolkata Muslims Ask Mamata to 'Punish Assailants Even if They're From Minority Community'
India.com News Desk | June 20, 2019 6:57 AM IST
Kolkata: The doctors' protest ended earlier this week after the West Bengal held talks with them and...
Doc, Model Assault: Kolkata Muslims Ask Mamata to 'Punish Assailants Even if They're From Minority Community'
indiacom
2019-06-19T19:57:08+00:00
2019-06-19T20:03:36+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Mamata Calls Defectors 'Thieves', Says She Can Get 500 More to Replace Them
India.com News Desk | June 19, 2019 8:16 AM IST
New Delhi: Many Trinamool Congress leaders have defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party post-Lok Sabh...
Mamata Calls Defectors 'Thieves', Says She Can Get 500 More to Replace Them
indiacom
2019-06-18T21:16:16+00:00
2019-06-18T21:16:16+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
PM Modi's All-party Meet on 'One Nation One Election': Mamata to Skip, Congress Yet to Decide
India.com News Desk | June 18, 2019 11:40 PM IST
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be holding an all-party meeting on Wednesday to discuss...
PM Modi's All-party Meet on 'One Nation One Election': Mamata to Skip, Congress Yet to Decide
indiacom
2019-06-18T12:40:46+00:00
2019-06-18T12:41:37+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Mamata to Skip PM Modi's All-Party Meet, Asks Centre to Prepare White Paper on 'One Nation, One Election'
India.com News Desk | June 18, 2019 6:37 PM IST
New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday turned down Prime Minister Narendra...
Mamata to Skip PM Modi's All-Party Meet, Asks Centre to Prepare White Paper on 'One Nation, One Election'
indiacom
2019-06-18T07:37:15+00:00
2019-06-18T08:17:09+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Junior Doctors Call Off Their Week-long Strike After Mamata's Assurance, Give Time to Govt to Implement Proposals
India.com News Desk | June 17, 2019 11:45 PM IST
New Delhi: Junior doctors of NRS hospital, Kolkata called off their week-long strike after meeting w...
Junior Doctors Call Off Their Week-long Strike After Mamata's Assurance, Give Time to Govt to Implement Propo
indiacom
2019-06-17T12:45:02+00:00
2019-06-17T12:53:57+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Parliament Not Right Place For 'Jai Shri Ram' Slogans, Temples Are For it: Amravati MP
India.com News Desk | June 17, 2019 4:34 PM IST
New Delhi: Independent MP from Maharashtra's Amravati constituency Navneet Kaur Rana on Monday slamm...
Parliament Not Right Place For 'Jai Shri Ram' Slogans, Temples Are For it: Amravati MP
indiacom
2019-06-17T05:34:02+00:00
2019-06-17T05:34:02+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Doctors' Strike: Mamata Agrees to Live Coverage of Meeting With Agitating Medicos
India.com News Desk | June 17, 2019 3:42 PM IST
New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee gave nod for live coverage of the proposed mee...
Doctors' Strike: Mamata Agrees to Live Coverage of Meeting With Agitating Medicos
indiacom
2019-06-17T04:42:35+00:00
2019-06-17T05:03:19+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Bengal Impasse: Protesting Doctors Refuse to Attend Mamata Meeting Today
India.com News Desk | June 17, 2019 8:17 AM IST
Kolkata: Striking doctors in Bengal have rejected Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's call for a meetin...
Bengal Impasse: Protesting Doctors Refuse to Attend Mamata Meeting Today
indiacom
2019-06-16T21:17:56+00:00
2019-06-16T21:17:56+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Goa Doctors to Join Nationwide Protest to Show Solidarity With West Bengal Docs
India.com News Desk | June 17, 2019 12:29 AM IST
The protest that started from West Bengal after a doctor was attacked by family members of a patient...
Goa Doctors to Join Nationwide Protest to Show Solidarity With West Bengal Docs
indiacom
2019-06-16T13:29:25+00:00
2019-06-16T13:29:25+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Mamata Banerjee Agrees to Meet Agitating Doctors, Says no to Media Presence
India.com News Desk | June 16, 2019 11:31 PM IST
New Delhi: Hours after protesting junior doctors in West Bengal agreed for talks with Mamata at a ve...
Mamata Banerjee Agrees to Meet Agitating Doctors, Says no to Media Presence
indiacom
2019-06-16T12:31:36+00:00
2019-06-16T12:31:36+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Doctors Ready to Hold Talks With Mamata at Venue of Her Choice, Demand Media Presence
India.com News Desk | June 16, 2019 5:19 PM IST
New Delhi: Softening their stand, protesting junior doctors in West Bengal on Sunday said that they ...
Doctors Ready to Hold Talks With Mamata at Venue of Her Choice, Demand Media Presence
indiacom
2019-06-16T06:19:50+00:00
2019-06-16T08:20:25+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
'If CM Extends One Hand, we Will Extend 10,' Striking Doctors to Pick Venue For Open Discussion With Mamata
PTI Feeds | June 16, 2019 7:12 AM IST
New Delhi: The impasse in West Bengal showed signs of easing as agitating doctors said Saturday nigh...
'If CM Extends One Hand, we Will Extend 10,' Striking Doctors to Pick Venue For Open Discussion With Mamata
indiacom
2019-06-15T20:12:55+00:00
2019-06-15T20:52:31+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
'No Honest Effort', Doctors Turn Down Mamata's Appeal to Resume Duty; MHA Seeks Report From State Govt on Strike - Top Developments
India.com News Desk | June 15, 2019 11:00 PM IST
New Delhi: Striking junior doctors in West Bengal on Saturday turned down Mamata Banerjee's appeal t...
'No Honest Effort', Doctors Turn Down Mamata's Appeal to Resume Duty; MHA Seeks Report From State Govt on Str
indiacom
2019-06-15T12:00:31+00:00
2019-06-15T12:32:34+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
All Demands Accepted, Resume Work: Mamata Banerjee to Protesting Doctors
India.com News Desk | June 15, 2019 7:16 PM IST
New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said that she has accepted all dem...
All Demands Accepted, Resume Work: Mamata Banerjee to Protesting Doctors
indiacom
2019-06-15T08:16:59+00:00
2019-06-15T08:30:03+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Doctors' Strike Day 5 Updates: We Accept All Demands, Resume Work, Mamata Banerjee to Medicos
India.com News Desk | June 15, 2019 8:21 AM IST
Sat, 15 Jun 2019 06:42:29 pmDoctors Strike Live Updates: "I do not want to invoke Essential Services...
Doctors' Strike Day 5 Updates: We Accept All Demands, Resume Work, Mamata Banerjee to Medicos
indiacom
2019-06-14T21:21:51+00:00
2019-06-15T08:29:45+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Bengal Doctors, Mamata Faceoff Likely Today as CM Again Asks Agitators to Meet Her at State Secretariat Nabanna
India.com News Desk | June 15, 2019 8:06 AM IST
New Delhi: A day after striking junior doctors rejected a proposal from West Bengal Chief Minister M...
Bengal Doctors, Mamata Faceoff Likely Today as CM Again Asks Agitators to Meet Her at State Secretariat Naban
indiacom
2019-06-14T21:06:29+00:00
2019-06-14T21:28:06+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
PM Modi to Chair NITI Aayog Governing Council Meeting Today
India.com News Desk | June 15, 2019 12:13 AM IST
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the fifth meeting of the Governing Council of NIT...
PM Modi to Chair NITI Aayog Governing Council Meeting Today
indiacom
2019-06-14T13:13:19+00:00
2019-06-14T13:13:19+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Bengal Governor Meets Assaulted Doctor, Summons CM to Discuss Issue
India.com News Desk | June 14, 2019 8:39 PM IST
Kolkata: West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi on Friday met the doctor who was assaulted by a ...
Bengal Governor Meets Assaulted Doctor, Summons CM to Discuss Issue
indiacom
2019-06-14T09:39:30+00:00
2019-06-14T09:39:30+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com