Has Mamata Banerjee Shifted Her Political Narrative?

Kolkata, July 20 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, appears to have altered her political narrative in anticipation of the Trinamool Congress' annual Martyrs' Day rally on Monday, which is the final one before the pivotal Assembly elections in 2026. The focus has shifted from “Bengal in Danger” to “Bengalis in Danger”.

Notably, influential figures in history like Quaid-e-Azam, or Muhammad Ali Jinnah, are often recognized for their ability to shape political narratives that resonate with the public. Jinnah's transition from “Muslims in Danger” to “Islam is Danger” is believed to have significantly contributed to the formation of Pakistan.

While Mamata Banerjee’s narrative lacks the broader political implications of Jinnah's, it is nonetheless evolving, becoming more focused.

Up until the previous Martyrs’ Day rally on July 21, 2024, her campaign was centered around claims that the BJP and the Union government were undermining the socio-economic fabric of “Bengal” by withholding central funds for various sponsored projects. Last year, her criticisms of the BJP revolved around accusations that the Union government was attempting to tarnish the image of “Bengal” through the use of Central agencies to address issues within the state.

In summary, until last year, Banerjee used the victim narrative of “Bengal” as a state. However, following a successful counter-campaign by the BJP, which justified the freezing of Central funds due to rampant corruption in the execution of these projects, her narrative has lost its impact over time.

In the lead-up to the last Martyrs’ Day rally before the state Assembly elections next year, Banerjee has introduced a new political narrative: “Bengalis in Danger”, where she is examining various dimensions to validate this shift. In her updated view, the focus is no longer on “Bengal” but rather on “Bengalis” as the central victim.

The first dimension highlights the alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking individuals labeled as illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in BJP-governed states, particularly targeting the administrations of Assam and Odisha.

The second dimension critiques the proposed intensive review by the Election Commission of India (ECI), framing it as a strategy aimed at implementing the NRC in West Bengal and disenfranchising numerous Bengali-speaking voters both within the state and beyond.

The third dimension accuses the BJP and the Union government of meddling with the culinary traditions of Bengalis. A recent advisory from the Union health ministry recommending the posting of notices in workplaces to inform about the dangers of hidden fats and excessive sugar in food is being leveraged by her to bolster her anti-BJP narrative on dietary practices.

Political analysts believe that Banerjee's revised narrative aims to instill a sense of threat among West Bengal voters, suggesting that under BJP governance, “Bengali culture, food traditions, and lifestyles are at risk”.

However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has astutely identified her strategy. During a political rally in Durgapur, West Burdwan, on July 18, he accused the West Bengal government of exacerbating the plight of original Bengalis by facilitating illegal immigration from Bangladesh.

Modi stated that while Bengalis receive respect in BJP-administered states, they face hardships in their own West Bengal due to the state's support for illegal immigrants.

“Illegal infiltrators are being issued fraudulent Indian identity documents in West Bengal. An entire system has been established to promote illegal infiltration, posing threats to national security and Bengali culture. The Trinamool Congress has jeopardized the state's integrity for narrow political gains,” Modi asserted.

It remains to be seen how Mamata Banerjee will respond to these allegations during her address at the Martyrs’ Day rally on Monday.