Novelist and columnist Shobhaa De expressed her views on the Trinamool Congress’ defeat in the West Bengal elections, highlighting Mamata Banerjee’s loss of faith and respect among her people. De mentioned that Mamata Banerjee, once a revered leader, had distanced herself from the state’s residents, leading to a decline in support. She criticized the deteriorating infrastructure, rising unemployment, and alleged corruption within the state.
De also pointed out Mamata Banerjee’s failure to connect with women voters and her handling of sensitive issues related to crimes against women. She emphasized the importance of accepting defeat gracefully and urged Mamata Banerjee to guide her supporters accordingly. De dismissed the notion that gender should determine leadership succession, advocating for merit-based appointments.
Regarding the BJP’s victory in West Bengal, De described it as a democratic mandate for change and progress in the state. She noted the unexpected nature of the outcome and highlighted Mamata Banerjee’s reluctance to accept the election results. De concluded by acknowledging Mamata Banerjee’s political acumen but suggested that she had lost touch with her core supporters in recent years.
