The BJP’s triumphant sweep in West Bengal, grabbing 206 assembly seats, has sparked nationwide buzz, and prominent writer Shobha De is among those celebrating. Posting a video from Mumbai on Instagram, De described the win as an ‘epoch-making event’ despite her recent illness, joining Kolkata’s revelry remotely.
De avoided partisan politics but posed a pointed question: What led to Mamata Banerjee’s downfall? Her answer was unequivocal— a glaring lack of empathy towards the women of Bengal. ‘The women of the state rejected their own leader,’ she stated. Banerjee, in power for nearly one and a half decades, failed to exhibit the compassion and unity that women voters craved, sealing her fate.
This isn’t merely a political setback; it’s a stinging personal humiliation for Banerjee, De emphasized. Echoing PM Modi’s call to nurture the ‘blooming lotus,’ she portrayed the results as a clarion call for reform. Long-standing grievances over graft, poor roads and services, and stifled dissent fueled the anti-incumbent wave.
As Bengal turns a new page, De suggested Banerjee step aside and observe the BJP’s performance. The massive tally underscores the people’s hopes for revival. ‘This is Bengal’s moment to rediscover its pride and vibrancy,’ De said optimistically, lauding the high voter turnout that birthed this change.
