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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.’

'Pragya Thakur Was Charged in False Cases', Amit Shah Defends Malegaon Blast Accused
India.com News Desk | April 22, 2019 10:41 AM IST
New Delhi: BJP President Amit Shah on Monday defended Pragya Thakur, claiming that she was framed in...
'Pragya Thakur Was Charged in False Cases', Amit Shah Defends Malegaon Blast Accused
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Mamata Banerjee
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TMC Planning to Invite Pakistan PM Imran Khan to Campaign in West Bengal, Claims Mukul Roy
India.com News Desk | April 22, 2019 8:43 AM IST
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TMC Planning to Invite Pakistan PM Imran Khan to Campaign in West Bengal, Claims Mukul Roy
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Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Bengal SItuation is Like Bihar of 15 Years Ago, Claims EC's Special Observer; TMC Demands His Removal
India.com News Desk | April 21, 2019 1:03 PM IST
New Delhi: Ahead of third phase of polling in West Bengal on April 23, the Election Commission speci...
Bengal SItuation is Like Bihar of 15 Years Ago, Claims EC's Special Observer; TMC Demands His Removal
indiacom
2019-04-21T02:03:01+00:00
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Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Bullying of TMC Won't Prevent Its Massive Defeat, Bengal is With BJP: PM Modi
India.com News Desk | April 20, 2019 11:38 AM IST
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday lambasted Trinamool supremo and West Bengal CM M...
Bullying of TMC Won't Prevent Its Massive Defeat, Bengal is With BJP: PM Modi
indiacom
2019-04-20T00:38:32+00:00
2019-04-20T01:11:41+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
NRC Will Boomerang on BJP if it Implements it: Mamata Banerjee
PTI | April 18, 2019 9:13 PM IST
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said the NRC, which the BJP proposes to imple...
NRC Will Boomerang on BJP if it Implements it: Mamata Banerjee
indiacom
2019-04-18T10:13:37+00:00
2019-04-18T10:13:37+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Will Make Sure BJP Gets 'Vidai Certificate' After Lok Sabha 2019 Results: Mamata Banerjee
India.com News Desk | April 18, 2019 8:16 PM IST
New Delhi: Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said that her party will make sure that Bha...
Will Make Sure BJP Gets 'Vidai Certificate' After Lok Sabha 2019 Results: Mamata Banerjee
indiacom
2019-04-18T09:16:12+00:00
2019-04-18T09:16:12+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
LS Polls 2019: BJP Requests EC to Review Release Date of Mamata Banerjee Inspired Movie 'Baghini'
India.com News Desk | April 17, 2019 4:15 PM IST
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday wrote to the Election Commission (EC) regar...
LS Polls 2019: BJP Requests EC to Review Release Date of Mamata Banerjee Inspired Movie 'Baghini'
indiacom
2019-04-17T05:15:41+00:00
2019-04-17T05:15:41+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Central Forces May be With BJP But People of Bengal Are With Mamata: TMC Leader
India.com News Desk | April 17, 2019 2:16 PM IST
Kolkata: Close on the heels of TMC leaders challenging and threatening central forces, another party...
Central Forces May be With BJP But People of Bengal Are With Mamata: TMC Leader
indiacom
2019-04-17T03:16:52+00:00
2019-04-17T03:16:52+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
'Baghini – Bengal Tigress': Film Inspired by Mamata Banerjee Slated For May 3 Rrelease
India.com News Desk | April 16, 2019 8:33 PM IST
New Delhi: After a biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi was stalled by the Election Commission, a ...
'Baghini – Bengal Tigress': Film Inspired by Mamata Banerjee Slated For May 3 Rrelease
indiacom
2019-04-16T09:33:58+00:00
2019-04-16T09:33:58+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Mamata Banerjee Accuses BJP of Using Religion to Gain Political Advantage
PTI | April 14, 2019 7:46 PM IST
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday dubbed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "big...
Mamata Banerjee Accuses BJP of Using Religion to Gain Political Advantage
indiacom
2019-04-14T08:46:03+00:00
2019-04-14T08:46:03+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Neither Vote For Congress Nor For CPI-M: Mamata Urges Voters at Siliguri Rally
India.com News Desk | April 13, 2019 4:14 PM IST
Siliguri: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee while addressing a rally in Siliguri urged the ...
Neither Vote For Congress Nor For CPI-M: Mamata Urges Voters at Siliguri Rally
indiacom
2019-04-13T05:14:33+00:00
2019-04-13T05:14:33+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Slamming Modi, Mamata Says She Would Never Use Armed Forces to Seek Votes
PTI | April 12, 2019 9:43 PM IST
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday expressed solidarity with army veterans conveyi...
Slamming Modi, Mamata Says She Would Never Use Armed Forces to Seek Votes
indiacom
2019-04-12T10:43:36+00:00
2019-04-12T10:43:36+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Amit Shah Terms Illegal Bangladeshi Migrants 'Termites' to be Thrown Out
PTI | April 11, 2019 5:13 PM IST
Referring to illegal migrants from Bangladesh as "termites", BJP president Amit Shah on Thursday sai...
Amit Shah Terms Illegal Bangladeshi Migrants 'Termites' to be Thrown Out
indiacom
2019-04-11T06:13:29+00:00
2019-04-11T06:13:29+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
'Unlike Trinamool, Congress Always Fighting Against BJP,' Says Rahul in Response to Mamata
India.com News Desk | April 10, 2019 11:00 PM IST
Raiganj: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday hit out at Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Ban...
'Unlike Trinamool, Congress Always Fighting Against BJP,' Says Rahul in Response to Mamata
indiacom
2019-04-10T12:00:24+00:00
2019-04-10T12:00:24+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
High-level Inquiry Ordered After Mamata Banerjee’s Chopper Loses Its Way to Rally Venue
India.com News Desk | April 10, 2019 9:48 PM IST
Kolkata: After West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's chopper lost its way en route to North D...
High-level Inquiry Ordered After Mamata Banerjee’s Chopper Loses Its Way to Rally Venue
indiacom
2019-04-10T10:48:21+00:00
2019-04-10T10:48:21+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Mamata Says LS Polls Will Drive Out BJP From Country Bring TMC to Power
PTI | April 10, 2019 6:15 PM IST
Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said the upco...
Mamata Says LS Polls Will Drive Out BJP From Country Bring TMC to Power
indiacom
2019-04-10T07:15:45+00:00
2019-04-10T07:15:45+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Modi is 'King of Fascists'; Congress Responsible For Rise of BJP: Mamata
PTI | April 9, 2019 7:56 PM IST
Narendra Modi is the "King of Fascists" who was baptised in politics through "riots and mass killing...
Modi is 'King of Fascists'; Congress Responsible For Rise of BJP: Mamata
indiacom
2019-04-09T08:56:44+00:00
2019-04-09T08:56:44+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Congress Cannot Form Government on Its Own, Predicts Mamata Banerjee
India.com News Desk | April 9, 2019 2:52 PM IST
New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said that Congress cannot form gove...
Congress Cannot Form Government on Its Own, Predicts Mamata Banerjee
indiacom
2019-04-09T03:52:18+00:00
2019-04-09T03:52:18+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
Mamata Slams Modi, Says People Would Stick Leucoplast on PM's Lips For Telling Lies
PTI | April 8, 2019 3:19 PM IST
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he...
Mamata Slams Modi, Says People Would Stick Leucoplast on PM's Lips For Telling Lies
indiacom
2019-04-08T04:19:07+00:00
2019-04-08T04:20:25+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com
EC Rejects Mamata's Allegations, Says Move to Transfer Kolkata Top Cop Based on Cumulative Feedback
India.com News Desk | April 7, 2019 4:38 PM IST
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday rejected allegations levelled by West Be...
EC Rejects Mamata's Allegations, Says Move to Transfer Kolkata Top Cop Based on Cumulative Feedback
indiacom
2019-04-07T05:38:47+00:00
2019-04-07T05:38:47+00:00
Mamata Banerjee
India.com