Shah on an Impossible Mission Uproot Mamata: Trinamool Roots Run Deeper Every Time BJP Makes a Bid

Shah is used to giving ‘Uproot Mamata’ calls. But Mamata’s roots have only sunk deeper every time he does. In the 2016 assembly elections, the BJP went all out to uproot Mamata and couldn’t do diddly-squat – 3 seats against Trinamool’s 211 in the 295-member assembly. The 2014 general election was no different. Two out of 42 seats. A report for Different Truths.

‘Mission Uproot Mamata’ got going Saturday. BJP President Amit Shah arrived in Mamata-land past high noon, well past the hour to make a fight at ‘OK Corral’. But Mayo Road, where Shah addressed BJP’s Paribortan-types, was choc-a-bloc, shoulders rubbing shoulders. Mamata’s TMC decided not to spoil the show for Shah. What’s a rally when all of Bengal’s pally to Mamata!

Shah started his harangue against Mamata with cherubic gusto and, as expected, went on the offensive with the call for an NRC for West Bengal to get the “Bangladeshi Ghuspetiya” out of Shyamaprasad Mukherjee’s home-state.

Quite extraordinarily, while claiming that “Mamata ‘Ke Kaan Behre Hain”, Shah had difficulty hearing the crowd’s response to his many anti-Mamata one-liners. Time and again, he told the crowd, “Mujhe Sunayi Nahi De Raha Hai, Aur zor Se Bolo Mere Saath!”

Shah should try out fish, which while good for the eyes must not be poison for the ears. That said the crowd-size was impressive. The Trinamool it seemed was sensitive to pregnant possibilities. No way should the BJP be allowed to take advantage of any opportunity presented to it by Mamata’s, inadvertent slip or calculated strike, ‘civil war’ and ‘bloodbath’ comments.

Earlier, Shah got a “musical welcome” at Kolkata airport from BJP workers. TMC activists stood to a side wearing Shah-masks to throw mud at Shah. Things are bound to get raucous and tense as Shah’s cavalcade moves to the districts from the state capital. His rhetoric will sharpen and so will the response.

‘Didi’ not giving a fitting reply is out of the question. This time the stake higher by miles – Control of India. Mamata’s ‘Mission Uproot Modi’ has been on for weeks if not months. The wandering minstrels of Trinamool want India to rock to a multi-lingual tune, not the single one of the Ektara!

Shah is no fool. He knows Mamata casts a big shadow on the state. Besides, Shah is used to giving ‘Uproot Mamata’ calls. But Mamata’s roots have only sunk deeper every time he does. In the 2016 assembly elections, the BJP went all out to uproot Mamata and couldn’t do diddly-squat – 3 seats against Trinamool’s 211 in the 295-member assembly.

The 2014 general election was no different. Two out of 42 seats. That was BJP’s takings. Poor showing. Now, 2019 is looming and Mamata has sworn to clean sweep! If she does that, she will be the one to uproot. Provided the rest of the regional satraps and Rahul Gandhi delivers their promised numbers.

Simply put, Amit Shah has his work cut out – Mamata’s cutouts have to be uprooted first before she can be uprooted. That’s mission impossible. The TMC’s reputation to play hard and fast is known to the average Bengali communist and BJP worker.

Mamata is the last hope for the Bengali Muslim – in-house and alleged Bangladeshi. Mamata doesn’t distinguish between the two. She has changed since 2005 when she recognised the “ghuspetiya”. Today, she snaps, “What ghuspetiya?”

Now, ‘ghuspetiya’ is Shah’s weapon; and ‘ghuspetiya’ is Mamata’s armour. Both will use the ‘ghuspetiya’. Shah by giving repeated calls for a ‘Bengal NRC’. Mamata by opposing any such exercise tooth and nail. The Assam NRC has already sharpened the division. Life on the planet’s never been easy, and for the Bengali, that’s not alien!

The recent panchayat elections told a tale. The Trinamool is not a pushover. Mamata’s men will fight it out. Lane. Street. Road. Highway. Irrespective of who – Trinamool, BJP, Congress or Communist – the Bengali, when he goes on the rampage, is unstoppable! Shah is setting up Trinamool for the kill. Mamata is poised to take the BJP’s head.

Rahul’s Congress and nobody’s communist are destined to play scavenger. The spoils will go to the winner – Trinamool, most likely.

Uprooting calls for strong arms, which Shah has. But Mamata can more than hold her own in a rough and tumble. She’s proved her prowess time and again since 2011 when she worsted the Left parties in a game they invented. Modi, if nobody’s mistaken, too, has his job cut out. Modi and Shah are not among India’s jobless!