Why Mamata Banerjee thinks she was more close to Atal Bihari Vajpayee than many in the BJP
That she had been close to Atal Bihari Vajpayee is something not even her principal political adversary, the BJP, can deny. As the nation mourns the loss of a great BJP stalwart, a statesman, a poet and above all a great human being, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, in her own way, is grieving the passing away of a guardian figure who gave her a long rope and even put up with her tantrums occasionally. During Mamata’s stint in the NDA government with Vajpayee as the PM from 1999-2004, she got the prized portfolios of her choice.
Truly such indulgences, more affectionate and less bound by compulsion, would be hard to come by. At least UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh didn’t allow her such leverage. Mamata’s grief thus was understandable.
So as the news of Vajpayee’s critical condition spread, the Trinamool Congress supporters and activists got active on social media posting pictures of Vajpayee and Mamata, the former at the latter’s humble residence in the narrow lanes of Kalighat. After his death, Mamata tweeted that she was “very, very saddened” and said: “I have cancelled my work to visit Atal Bihari Vajpayee today.”
The script was prepared: Vajpayee, known for his secular credentials and acceptability all over the globe, his love for biryani, galauti kebab and kachori-jalebi alike, his brilliant sparks in Hindi and his equal passion for Urdu couplets, his stricture for rajdharma cannot and should not be ignored, even though he belonged to the rival saffron camp.
Mamata herself penned a long tribute in her Twitter account: “I will always cherish the many fond memories.” She fondly recalled how she had a direct access to Atalji’s dining table and had given him company over the latter’s meal. There would be SoS calls from the Prime Minister often and how she would rush every time. Sometimes talks would be about serious political matters, and sometimes it would border on elderly advice, parental concern.
In her reminiscences about Vajpayee, Mamata said that it was she who had dropped the name of APJ Abdul Kalam as the NDA’s presidential candidate, when the Prime Minister had asked her on this. Again, when Mamata was reluctant to join the cabinet in 2004, how Vajpayee reasoned with her about accepting the coal and mines ministry. Everyone knows how Vajpayee as Prime Minister had dropped in at Mamata’s residence to meet her mother. He touched her feet and savoured the "malpua" and sweets, made at home.
Mamata touched upon many personal anecdotes with Vajpayee and how she had gifted one of her personal paintings. She was not quite off-the-mark when she said that she was more close to him than many in his own party. Whatever might be the motive of such recollection, but it definitely created an awkward situation for BJP supporters who suddenly found it difficult to attack the Trinamool leader.
The maverick politician that she is, Mamata simultaneously stoked a debate within and outside the BJP over Atal Advani and ModiShah style of functioning. “His (Vajpayee’s) pattern of work was different and not like present politics,” she wrote, obviously trying to underscore the division within the party (BJP).
Initially, the state BJP leaders thought of not inviting Mamata at Vajpayee’s memorial service, possibly on August 25, but somehow they were made to see that it would only go down to show the party’s meanness and narrow political intentions.
So, now, Mamata is being invited and will be welcomed. The Left leaders Sitaram Yechury and D Raja had already given a round at the party headquarters in Delhi and it’s got to be seen whether she really crosses the BJP party threshold, all for the sake of Vajpayee.
(Courtesy of Mail Today)
Also read: How Atal Bihari Vajpayee won over Mamata Banerjee