Dream will come true?

Mamata and Media:
It's no denying the fact many acts of omissions and commissions of the Left front govt and arrogance of its leaders and cadres brought about its fall.Another factor that mostly contributed to end Left rule was the decision of the Left to pull out support from the central govt and make an unsuccessful attempt to topple it.As a result TMC and Congress unitedly fought the Left in Assembly polls.But the third factor that was in no way less important than the earlier ones was the role of media.Since Nandigram episode both print and electronic media made all out attack on the LF govt.No doubt govt deserved such onslaught from Press.But the Press was far less mild in its criticism of Mamata Banerjee when she staged dharna totally blocking Durgapur express way for as many as thirteen days.Press was equally soft with Miss.Banerjee when she insisted on return of 400 acre of land to the so called unwilling farmers from Nano project site. Mamata Banerjee's sustained agitation and her continued adherence to her demand for return of land ultimately drove Tatas out Of Bengal with their automobile project after ninety percent of work done to Gujarat.She made her demand a prestige issue rather than consider the interest of the state.What's more even after frustrating a near complete project Miss. Banerjee didn't draw flak from press the way she deserved.What's very interesting is media continually spewed venom on the Left( however, the Left deserved it) making them villain and extended full-throated support to Miss Banerjee. Primarily, Left's lapses and media support combine brought Mamata in power with absolute majority.It should be reckoned with Mamata's sustained efforts backed up by unfailing media support made her a charismatic leader.It'd not be an over statement Mamata was sometimes pampered by media.

After Mamata came to power media were all- praise for her almost from day one.Her every movement was monitored and generously lauded.Normally during honeymoon period Press maintains a good relation with the ruling party.But in this case the relation was too good.Now Mamata has fallen from grace of a section of press,of course for her own fault and is sometimes subjected to scathing criticism.As a pampered child can't tolerate any body's criticism, may it be for his or her good, similar is the case with Mamata. Her ears are tuned to listen to praise only from the obsequious press.So any criticism sound cacophonous to her.As the all powerful leader of her party and govt where other members,even ministers, are practically non entity,it's no wonder she'd have intolerant mind-set that breeds authoritarian attitude.So when criticised she sees red and behaves irrationally.She often makes unbridled utterances that put her on the spot.She hardly reverses her decision or withdraws her comments even made inadvertently.It hurts her ego.These are all authoritarianism syndromes.Her win in every battle (mostly one-sided) with the Center has made her all the more confident that hers is the last word.

What's very interesting is her entourage are sometimes more aggressive than her perhaps to curry favour with her.In recent press censorship issue Sisir Adhikari's statement and the most arrogant body language is a case in point. Intolerance and confrontational attitude of ruling party has vitiated the political ambiance of the state and adversely affected the developmental activities govt has under taken.Pepole brought this govt with massive mandate to see Poribatan(change) and expected peace and tranquility would prevail and ruling party and the opposition would work in tandem for the progress of the state.But they are already disillusioned to a great extent.Nevertheless we hope, may it be hoping against hope, good sense would dawn on the ruling party and real Poribartan that we dreamt of would usher in.