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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.’

'Undemocratic & Unconstitutional': Mamata Banerjee to Stage Dharna in Kolkata Today to Protest EC's 24-Hour Campaign Ban
India.com News Desk | April 13, 2021 7:48 AM IST
After the ban, Banerjee took to Twitter to announce her sit-in demonstration in Kolkata, which
'Undemocratic & Unconstitutional': Mamata Banerjee to Stage Dharna in Kolkata Today to Protest EC's 24-Hour C
indiacom
2021-04-12T20:48:15+00:00
2021-04-12T20:48:15+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
West Bengal Polls 2021: Election Commission Bans Mamata Banerjee From Campaigning For 24 Hours
India.com News Desk | April 12, 2021 8:03 PM IST
The order banning her from campaigning for a day comes half-way through the West Bengal election.
West Bengal Polls 2021: Election Commission Bans Mamata Banerjee From Campaigning For 24 Hours
indiacom
2021-04-12T09:03:19+00:00
2021-04-12T12:39:44+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Mamata's Advice Instigated People to Attack CISF: Amit Shah on Cooch Behar Violence
India.com News Desk | April 11, 2021 4:08 PM IST
Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah held a roadshow today in Ranaghat Dakshin amid the
Mamata's Advice Instigated People to Attack CISF: Amit Shah on Cooch Behar Violence
indiacom
2021-04-11T05:08:28+00:00
2021-04-11T05:08:28+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Cooch Behar Firing 'Genocide', Says Mamata Banerjee, Accuses EC of 'Suppressing Facts'
India.com News Desk | April 11, 2021 12:55 PM IST
Bengal Election 2021: The TMC supremo also talked to the families of the deceased via video call
Cooch Behar Firing 'Genocide', Says Mamata Banerjee, Accuses EC of 'Suppressing Facts'
indiacom
2021-04-11T01:55:50+00:00
2021-04-11T02:10:50+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Mamata Banerjee Seeks Amit Shah's Resignation Over Cooch Behar Firing, Accuses Central Forces of Working At BJP's Behest
India.com News Desk | April 10, 2021 5:50 PM IST
I will be going to Mathabhanga hospital tomorrow at 10 am and from there I will go to Alipurduar. I
Mamata Banerjee Seeks Amit Shah's Resignation Over Cooch Behar Firing, Accuses Central Forces of Working At B
indiacom
2021-04-10T06:50:06+00:00
2021-04-10T13:28:38+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Self Defence: Cooch Behar Firing Took Place After Locals Attacked CISF Jawans, Says Election Commission
India.com News Desk | April 10, 2021 8:30 PM IST
The Election Commission of India on Saturday released a press statement over the Cooch Behar firing
Self Defence: Cooch Behar Firing Took Place After Locals Attacked CISF Jawans, Says Election Commission
indiacom
2021-04-10T09:30:32+00:00
2021-04-10T09:42:00+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
CISF Issues Clarification Over Cooch Behar Firing, Says Mob of 150 Attacked Troops, Action In Self Defence
Victor Dasgupta | April 10, 2021 4:47 PM IST
CISF has said as chaos ensued, one child fell down and the mob started vandalising vehicles of the
CISF Issues Clarification Over Cooch Behar Firing, Says Mob of 150 Attacked Troops, Action In Self Defence
indiacom
2021-04-10T05:47:49+00:00
2021-04-10T05:53:02+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
'Glad They Are Taking My Clubhouse Chat Seriously', Prashant Kishor Reacts to Audio Clip Released by BJP
India.com News Desk | April 10, 2021 9:50 AM IST
Bengal Election 2021: Prashant Kishor is working as a key strategist for the ruling TMC in West
'Glad They Are Taking My Clubhouse Chat Seriously', Prashant Kishor Reacts to Audio Clip Released by BJP
indiacom
2021-04-09T22:50:52+00:00
2021-04-10T00:07:59+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
EC Issues 2nd Notice To Mamata Banerjee For Statements Against Central Forces
India.com News Desk | April 9, 2021 10:35 AM IST
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021: Reacting to EC's earlier notice, Mamata Banerjee said that the
EC Issues 2nd Notice To Mamata Banerjee For Statements Against Central Forces
indiacom
2021-04-08T23:35:23+00:00
2021-04-09T01:47:11+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Jaya Bachchan Gets Brutally Trolled After Pushing a Man in Roadshow, Twitterati Call Her 'Rude And Arrogant'
India.com Entertainment Desk | April 9, 2021 10:48 AM IST
Jaya Bachchan was on a roadshow in Howrah, West Bengal when a man tried to take a selfie with her
Jaya Bachchan Gets Brutally Trolled After Pushing a Man in Roadshow, Twitterati Call Her 'Rude And Arrogant'
indiacom
2021-04-08T23:48:36+00:00
2021-04-08T23:48:36+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Mamata Banerjee Gets Election Commission Notice Over Her Address To Muslim Voters In Hoogly
India.com News Desk | April 7, 2021 8:07 PM IST
The Election Commission on Wednesday sent a notice to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
Mamata Banerjee Gets Election Commission Notice Over Her Address To Muslim Voters In Hoogly
indiacom
2021-04-07T09:07:20+00:00
2021-04-07T09:51:01+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Mamata Didi Urging Muslim Voters To Support Her Shows Minority Votebank Slipping Out Her Grasp: PM Modi
India.com News Desk | April 6, 2021 4:55 PM IST
Didi, recently you said all Muslims should unite and not allow their votes to be divided. You are
Mamata Didi Urging Muslim Voters To Support Her Shows Minority Votebank Slipping Out Her Grasp: PM Modi
indiacom
2021-04-06T05:55:02+00:00
2021-04-06T05:55:02+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
'Factually incorrect': EC on Mamata Banerjee's Claims About Presence of Outsiders at Nandigram Polling Booth
India.com News Desk | April 4, 2021 3:04 PM IST
EC sent the letter to Mamata Banerjee in response to a complaint filed by her on April 1, when
'Factually incorrect': EC on Mamata Banerjee's Claims About Presence of Outsiders at Nandigram Polling Booth
indiacom
2021-04-04T04:04:46+00:00
2021-04-04T04:25:33+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
BJP, TMC Engage in War of Words Over Video Showing Mamata Shaking Her Plastered Leg | Watch
India.com News Desk | April 3, 2021 9:06 PM IST
Notably, the TMC supremo had suffered an injury to her leg while campaigning in Nandigram. Banerjee
BJP, TMC Engage in War of Words Over Video Showing Mamata Shaking Her Plastered Leg | Watch
indiacom
2021-04-03T10:06:52+00:00
2021-04-03T10:06:52+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
PM Modi Welcomes Mamata To Varanasi With 'Outsider' Taunt, Asks How She Will React To 'Har Har Mahadev' Chants
India.com News Desk | April 3, 2021 7:58 PM IST
PM Modi also wondered how the TMC would react finding that so many people 'choti', 'tilak',
PM Modi Welcomes Mamata To Varanasi With 'Outsider' Taunt, Asks How She Will React To 'Har Har Mahadev' Chant
indiacom
2021-04-03T08:58:37+00:00
2021-04-03T08:58:37+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
'Mishti Doi And Bengalis Are Sweet, Why Are You Bringing Bitterness, Didi?' PM Modi Asks Mamata in Hooghly
India.com News Desk | April 3, 2021 5:12 PM IST
PM Modi also wondered how the TMC would react finding that so many people 'choti', 'tilak',
'Mishti Doi And Bengalis Are Sweet, Why Are You Bringing Bitterness, Didi?' PM Modi Asks Mamata in Hooghly
indiacom
2021-04-03T06:12:01+00:00
2021-04-03T06:17:41+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
BJP Wants to Divide Bengal, End Its Culture, Language: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee
India.com News Desk | April 3, 2021 4:42 PM IST
Mamata Banerjee was addressing the rally at North 24 Parganas district, just 58 km from Tarkeshwar,
BJP Wants to Divide Bengal, End Its Culture, Language: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee
indiacom
2021-04-03T05:42:46+00:00
2021-04-03T05:42:46+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
In This Howrah Sweet Shop, Mamata Banerjee And PM Modi Come Under One Roof | Photos
Trending Desk | April 3, 2021 9:10 AM IST
The shop has 'sweet statuettes' of top campaigners from three major parties and alliances in the
In This Howrah Sweet Shop, Mamata Banerjee And PM Modi Come Under One Roof | Photos
indiacom
2021-04-02T22:10:09+00:00
2021-04-02T22:14:57+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Will win From Nandigram, no Need to Worry: Mamata Banerjee Exudes Confidence
India.com News Desk | April 2, 2021 1:32 PM IST
Notably, the Nandigram assembly constituency in the Purba Medinipur district, this year, witnessed
Will win From Nandigram, no Need to Worry: Mamata Banerjee Exudes Confidence
indiacom
2021-04-02T02:32:39+00:00
2021-04-02T02:37:53+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
West Bengal Registers 80.43 Per Cent Voter Turnout, Assam Records 73.03 As Voting For 2nd Phase Ends
India.com News Desk | April 1, 2021 6:04 AM IST
Assembly Elections 2021 Phase 2 Voting: While more than 75 lakh voters will decide the fate of 191
West Bengal Registers 80.43 Per Cent Voter Turnout, Assam Records 73.03 As Voting For 2nd Phase Ends
indiacom
2021-03-31T19:04:42+00:00
2021-04-01T10:21:19+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com

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