12 May,2011 07:47 AM IST | | Sudeshna Chowdhury
Many are predicting that the 34-year-old rule of the Left Front in West Bengal will end on counting day tomorrow with the victory of the Trinamool Congress headed by Mamata Banerjee. But, can the firebrand leader really bring about her much-touted poriborton (change) in the state? MiD DAY speaks to a few expat Bengalis for their take...
Calcutta was once the capital of British Raj and, as many say, a great intellectual centre. However, a lot has changed since. The old world charm of Kolkata, as it is now known, is long gone and its people have been through a lot, whether it be Singur and Nandigram or the struggle for Gorkhaland. While many Kolkatans still choose to bask in the glories of the past, a growing number of people, specially the young turks, say it's high time the city snapped out of its 'time warp'.
Changing times: Many Bengalis believe that the Trinamool supremo
Mamata Banerjee can usher change inu00a0 West Bengal. file pic
"The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has been ruling the state for 34 years and they know the system inside out. It is true that they may cause trouble for the Trinamool Congress when they sit in the opposition, but that should not deter Mamata Banerjee from ushering in change," said Abhirup Dasgupta (21), who moved back to Kolkata from Mumbai this year. Dasgupta, however, believes that it would have been better for Bengal if the Left Front had brought about the changes. "People relate to the party and reforms initiated by them would have been effected better and faster," he said.
'Clarion call'
Elsie Gabriel, an environmentalist, who has spent more than 20 years in Kolkata and now lives in Powai, believes that Mamata is eminently capable of ushering in change. "The people of West Bengal have issued a clarion call for change and the changes that the state needs will happen if her party comes to power," she said.
Devanjan Roy, another Mumbaikar, had a deep connection with Kolkata but his family moved out of the city due to "a lack of job opportunities". "My cousins, uncles and many others from my family moved out of the city as there is no growth there. The standard of education is good, but what do you do after that? I can only hope that things will change once, and if, the Mamata government comes to power."
Anirban Sen, a media professional based in Bangalore, echoed Roy's views. "After staying in Bangalore for two years, I would definitely not want to go back to West Bengal to work there. Change is needed and the Trinamool government can succeed if itu00a0 creates job opportunities through industrialisation," he said.
Salil Dutta, who has been living in Mumbai since 1970, however, disagrees. "Mamata might be a leader of the masses, but I am a bit skeptical as far as politics is concerned. I doubt her administrative capabilities mainly because of her stand on issues such as Nandigram and Singur. I believe that the situation in villages in West Bengal is still better than it is in other states.
"An attempt by the Left to industrialise the state was put down by Mamata, so I don't know what change we are talking about," he said. Sanket Ray (20), who still finds the city fascinating, agrees. "Stability is the need of the hour and only the Left Front can provide that," When MiD DAY asked actress Sharmila Tagore for her view, "Every new person will bring some change for sure," was her terse reply.
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