Mamata Banerjee#Public profile and controversies

Banerjee was born in Calcutta (now Kolkata), West Bengal, to a Bengali Hindu Brahmin family.{{cite journal|author=Bag|first=Kheya|date=2011|title=Red Bengal's Rise and Fall|url=http://newleftreview.org/II/70/kheya-bag-red-bengal-s-rise-and-fall|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330190401/http://newleftreview.org/II/70/kheya-bag-red-bengal-s-rise-and-fall|archive-date=30 March 2013|access-date=16 October 2012|journal=New Left Review|issue=70 |pages=69–98 }}{{cite news|last=Jha|first=Ajit Kumar|date=11 May 2014|title=Political Eclipse of Once Formidable Brahmins|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/Political-Eclipse-of-Once-Formidable-Brahmins/2014/05/11/article2217601.ece|url-status=dead|access-date=7 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507060512/http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/Political-Eclipse-of-Once-Formidable-Brahmins/2014/05/11/article2217601.ece|archive-date=7 May 2016}} Her parents were Promileswar Banerjee and Gayetri Devi.{{cite web|date=25 January 2021|title=Mamata's 5 years younger|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-whod-have-known-mamatas-5-years-younger/20120125.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307151929/http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-whod-have-known-mamatas-5-years-younger/20120125.htm|archive-date=7 March 2012|access-date=29 February 2012|website=Rediff}} Banerjee's father, Promileswar, died due to lack of medical treatment, when she was 17.{{cite news|last=Abdi|first=S.N.M.|date=5 November 2012|title=A Fire-Dweller At The Kiln|newspaper=Outlook India|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/a-fire-dweller-at-the-kiln/282724|url-status=live|access-date=5 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116202427/https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/a-fire-dweller-at-the-kiln/282724|archive-date=16 November 2018}}

In 1970, Banerjee completed the higher secondary board examination from Deshbandhu Sishu Sikshalay. She received a bachelor's degree in history from Jogamaya Devi College.{{cite web |url=http://jogamayadevicollege.org/history.htm |title=History of the College |publisher=Jogamayadevicollege.org |access-date=13 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726210012/http://www.jogamayadevicollege.org/history.htm |archive-date=26 July 2011 }}{{cite news|last=Mitra|first=Arnab|date=23 April 2011|title='My focus is always to be with the people'|website=Hindustan Times|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/archive-news/|url-status=dead|access-date=22 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425225124/http://www.hindustantimes.com/My-focus-is-always-to-be-with-the-people/Article1-688732.aspx|archive-date=25 April 2011}} Later, she earned her master's degree in Islamic history{{cite news|date=27 May 2016|title=15 facts about Mamata Banerjee that you probably don't know|website=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/slideshows/nation-world/15-facts-about-mamata-banerjee-that-you-probably-dont-know/education/slideshow/52465489.cms|url-status=live|access-date=19 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626174501/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/slideshows/nation-world/15-facts-about-mamata-banerjee-that-you-probably-dont-know/education/slideshow/52465489.cms|archive-date=26 June 2017}} from the University of Calcutta. This was followed by a degree in education from Shri Shikshayatan College and a law degree from Jogesh Chandra Chaudhuri Law College, Kolkata.{{cite web|title=Biographical Sketch, Member of Parliament, X Lok Sabha. BANERJEE, KUMARI MAMATA|url=http://parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/lok10/mp52.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726145746/http://parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/lok10/mp52.htm|archive-date=26 July 2010|website=parliamentofindia.nic.in}}

In 1984, Mamata Banerjee prefixed her name with ‘Dr’, claiming that she had completed her doctorate. After it came to light that the University (University of East Georgia) from which Banerjee had putatively completed her PhD did not exist, she stopped prefixing her name with the ‘Dr’ title.{{Cite web |date=13 April 2016 |title=Degree row: After Mamata Banerjee, Jitendra Tomar, it's WB education minister Partha Chatterjee's thesis raises eyebrows |url=https://www.india.com/news/india/degree-row-after-mamata-banerjee-jitendra-tomar-its-wb-education-minister-partha-chatterjees-thesis-raises-eyebrows-1104727/ |website=India.com}}

Banerjee became involved with politics when she was only 15. While studying at the Jogamaya Devi College, she established Chhatra Parishad Unions, the student wing of the Congress (I) Party, defeating the All India Democratic Students Organisation affiliated with the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist). She continued in the Congress (I) Party in West Bengal, serving in a variety of positions within the party and in other local political organisations.{{Cite news|date=12 May 2011|title=Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee biography|work=India Today|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/assembly-elections-2011/west-bengal/story/mamata-banerjee-biography-133631-2011-05-12|access-date=15 May 2021|archive-date=15 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515051657/https://www.indiatoday.in/assembly-elections-2011/west-bengal/story/mamata-banerjee-biography-133631-2011-05-12|url-status=live}}

File:Mamata Banerjee photographed by Viveka Tirtha (15772151282).jpg

Banerjee began her political career in the Congress party as a young woman in the 1970s. In 1975 she gained attention in the press media when she danced on the car of socialist activist and politician Jayaprakash Narayan as a protest against him.{{Cite web|last=Dhar|first=Sujoy|date=13 May 2011|title=Mamata's political journey: From a car dance to Chief Ministership|url=https://www.sify.com/news/mamatas-political-journey-from-a-car-dance-to-chief-ministership--news-national-lfnnQ3hibhhsi.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527090140/http://www.sify.com/news/mamatas-political-journey-from-a-car-dance-to-chief-ministership--news-national-lfnnQ3hibhhsi.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 May 2015|access-date=25 December 2020|website=Sify|language=en}}{{cite news|date=1 June 2019|title=First, show us some 'Mamata'|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/first-show-us-some-mamata|access-date=25 December 2020|website=Free Press Journal|language=en|archive-date=8 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608013925/https://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/first-show-us-some-mamata|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|first1=Pradipta|last1=Mukherjee|first2=Jeanette|last2=Rodrigues|date=17 May 2016|title=From jumping on cars to hunger strikes, Mamata shakes up India's status quo|url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/jvRw4QrDrA8yJ5V84gY3OK/From-jumping-on-cars-to-hunger-strikes-Mamata-Banerjee-shak.html|access-date=26 December 2020|website=mint|language=en|archive-date=26 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626192221/https://www.livemint.com/Politics/jvRw4QrDrA8yJ5V84gY3OK/From-jumping-on-cars-to-hunger-strikes-Mamata-Banerjee-shak.html|url-status=live}} She quickly rose in the ranks of the local Congress group and remained the general secretary of Mahila Congress (Indira), West Bengal, from 1976 to 1980.{{cite web|url=http://profiles.incredible-people.com/mamta-banerjee/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060220084704/http://profiles.incredible-people.com/mamta-banerjee/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 February 2006 |title=Mamta Banerjee Profile |work=incredible-people.com }} In the 1984 general election, Banerjee became one of India's youngest parliamentarians ever,{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/only-mamata-banerjee-could-defeat-somnath-chatterjee-1312879-2018-08-13 |title=Only Mamata Banerjee could defeat Somnath Chatterjee |website=India Today |author=Prabhash K Dutta |date=13 August 2018 |access-date=24 March 2020 |archive-date=24 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224160318/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/only-mamata-banerjee-could-defeat-somnath-chatterjee-1312879-2018-08-13 |url-status=live }} defeating veteran Communist politician Somnath Chatterjee, to win the Jadavpur parliamentary Constituency in West Bengal. She also became the general secretary of the Indian Youth Congress in 1984. She lost her seat to Malini Bhattacharya of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in the 1989 general elections in an anti-Congress wave.{{Cite web|last=Shubham|date=27 April 2016|title=Bengal polls: Mamata Banerjee has lost only 1 election till date|url=https://www.oneindia.com/feature/bengal-polls-2016-mamata-banerjee-election-performance-since-1984-2082091.html|access-date=25 December 2020|website=oneindia.com|language=en|archive-date=10 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610055641/https://www.oneindia.com/feature/bengal-polls-2016-mamata-banerjee-election-performance-since-1984-2082091.html|url-status=live}} She was re-elected in the 1991 general elections, having settled into the Calcutta South constituency. She retained the Kolkata South seat in the 1996, 1998, 1999, 2004 and 2009 general elections.{{cite news |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/story/trinamool-congress-chief-mamata-banerjee-a-profile/1/138015.html |title=Mamata, the street-fighting politician and Left nemesis |work=India Today |date=13 May 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518043559/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/story/trinamool-congress-chief-mamata-banerjee-a-profile/1/138015.html |archive-date=18 May 2011 }}

Banerjee was appointed the Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development, Youth Affairs and Sports, and Women and Child Development in 1991 by prime minister, P. V. Narasimha Rao. As the sports minister, she announced that she would resign and protested in a rally at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, against the Government's indifference towards her proposal to improve sports in the country.{{cite news |title=Mamata mum on relations with BJP |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030107/nation.htm#1 |date=6 January 2003 |access-date=2 December 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110111304/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030107/nation.htm#1 |archive-date=10 January 2007 }} She was discharged of her portfolios in 1993. In April 1996, she alleged that Congress was behaving as a stooge of the CPI-M in West Bengal. She said that she was the lone voice of reason and wanted a "clean Congress".{{cite news |title=Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee biography |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mamata-banerjee-biography/1/137953.html |website=India Today |date=12 May 2011 |access-date=26 December 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226192616/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mamata-banerjee-biography/1/137953.html |archive-date=26 December 2014 }}

In December 1992, Banerjee took a physically challenged girl Dipali Basak, who was allegedly raped by CPI(M) cadre Souvagya Basak, to Writers' Building to the then Chief Minister Jyoti Basu but was harassed by the police before being arrested and put on detention.{{cite news |date=21 July 2012 |title=Why Bengal can never forget 21 July |website=millenniumpost.in |url=http://www.millenniumpost.in/why-bengal-can-never-forget-21-july-5597 |access-date=13 June 2021 |archive-date=1 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601103647/http://www.millenniumpost.in/why-bengal-can-never-forget-21-july-5597 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Chaudhuri |first=Subhasish |date=23 March 2016 |title='Political pawns' Didi forgot |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/39-political-pawns-39-didi-forgot/cid/1321396 |work=The Telegraph) |access-date=14 August 2024}} She had sworn she would enter the building again only as chief minister.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2021/05/03/bengals-election-result-is-narendra-modis-personal-failure|title=Bengal's election result is Narendra Modi's personal failure|website=Newslaundry.com|date=3 May 2021|access-date=12 July 2021|archive-date=5 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705224957/https://www.newslaundry.com/2021/05/03/bengals-election-result-is-narendra-modis-personal-failure|url-status=live}}

The State Youth Congress led by Mamata Banerjee organised a protest march to Writers' Building in Kolkata on 21 July 1993 against the Communist government of the state. They demanded that voters' ID cards be made the only required document for voting, to put a stop to CPM's "scientific rigging". Thirteen people were shot and killed by police during the protest and many others were injured. Reacting to this incident the then-Chief Minister of West Bengal, Jyoti Basu, said that the "police had done a good job." During the 2014 inquiry, Justice (retired) Sushanta Chatterjee, former Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court, described the police response as "unprovoked and unconstitutional". "The commission has come to the conclusion that the case is even worse than Jallianwala Bagh massacre," said Justice Chatterjee.{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/1993-kolkata-police-firing-worse-than-jalianwallah-bagh/article10963265.ece |title=Report on Kolkata firing may spark a fresh row |first=Suvojit |last=Bagchi |date=29 December 2014 |newspaper=The Hindu |access-date=14 June 2021 |archive-date=27 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727081954/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/1993-kolkata-police-firing-worse-than-jalianwallah-bagh/article10963265.ece |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/assembly-elections-2011/west-bengal/looking-back-at-july-21-1993/articleshow/8310909.cms|title=Looking back at July 21, 1993|website=The Times of India|date=14 May 2011|access-date=14 June 2021|archive-date=6 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706003735/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/assembly-elections-2011/west-bengal/looking-back-at-july-21-1993/articleshow/8310909.cms|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/what-happened-on-july-21-1993/|title=What had happened on July 21 1993 at Writers' building in West Bengal?|date=29 December 2014|access-date=14 June 2021|archive-date=1 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601142811/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/what-happened-on-july-21-1993/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/what-happened-on-july-21-1993/cid/1266400|title=What happened on July 21, 1993|website=Telegraph India|access-date=14 June 2021|archive-date=13 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613192223/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/what-happened-on-july-21-1993/cid/1266400|url-status=live}}

File:Mamata Banerjee,IMG 0276.JPG

In 1997, due to difference in political views with the then West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee president Somendra Nath Mitra, Banerjee left the Congress Party in West Bengal and became one of the founding members of the All India Trinamool Congress, along with Mukul Roy.{{cite news|last=Chaudhuri|first=Kalyan|date=4 July 2003|title=On the decline|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/other/article30217647.ece|access-date=2 January 2021|website=Frontline|language=en|archive-date=1 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201085145/https://frontline.thehindu.com/other/article30217647.ece|url-status=live}} It quickly became the primary opposition party to the long-standing Communist government in the state. On 11 December 1998, she controversially held a Samajwadi Party MP, Daroga Prasad Saroj, by the collar and dragged him out of the well of the Lok Sabha to prevent him from protesting against the Women's Reservation Bill.{{cite news |title=National Events in December 1998 |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/revents/01/19980112.htm |work=The Hindu |location=India |access-date=12 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424085700/http://www.hinduonnet.com/revents/01/19980112.htm |archive-date=24 April 2011

}}

In 1999, she joined the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government and became Railways Minister. In 2000, Banerjee presented her first Railway Budget. In it, she fulfilled many of her promises to her home state West Bengal.{{cite news |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000226/main2.htm#4 |title=New trains for West Bengal |work=The Tribune |location=India |date=26 February 2000 |access-date=12 November 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930043335/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000226/main2.htm#4 |archive-date=30 September 2007 }} She introduced a new biweekly New Delhi-Sealdah Rajdhani Express train and four express trains connecting various parts of West Bengal, namely the Howrah-Purulia Rupasi Bangla Express, the Sealdah-New Jalpaiguri Padatik Express, the Shalimar-Adra Aranyak Express, the Sealdah-Ajmer Ananya Superfast Express, and Sealdah-Amritsar Akal Takht Superfast Express. She also increased the frequency of the Pune-Howrah Azad Hind Express and extended at least three express train services. Work on the Digha-Howrah Express service was also hastened during her brief tenure.{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/business/2000/feb/25rail2.htm |title=Railways to focus on tourism, trans-Asian role, hardselling freight services |work=Rediff.com |date=25 February 2000 |access-date=12 November 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050128115957/http://www.rediff.com/business/2000/feb/25rail2.htm |archive-date=28 January 2005 }}

She also focused on developing tourism, enabling the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway section to obtain two additional locomotives and proposing the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited. She also commented that India should play a pivotal role in the Trans-Asian Railway and that rail links between Bangladesh and Nepal would be reintroduced. In all, she introduced 19 new trains for the 2000–2001 fiscal year.

In 2000, she and Ajit Kumar Panja resigned to protest the hike in petroleum prices,{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1001001/index.htm |title=Petrol Ignites Mamata Resignation |work=The Telegraph (Calcutta) |date=1 October 2000 |access-date=24 February 2012 |location=Calcutta |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127170851/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1001001/index.htm |archive-date=27 November 2013 }} and then withdrew their resignations without providing any reasons.{{cite news |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20001009/nation.htm#1 |title=Mamata's antics invite criticism |work=Tribune India |date=9 October 2000 |access-date=24 February 2012 |author=Gupta, Subhrangshu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319001624/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20001009/nation.htm#1 |archive-date=19 March 2012 }}

In early 2001, after Tehelka{{'s}} exposure of Operation West End,{{cite news|last=Harding|first=Luke|date=21 March 2001|title=Sting on a shoestring|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/g2/story/0,3604,460371,00.html|url-status=live|access-date=23 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112063745/http://www.theguardian.com/g2/story/0%2C3604%2C460371%2C00.html|archive-date=12 January 2016}} Banerjee walked out of the NDA cabinet and allied with the Congress Party for West Bengal's 2001 elections, to protest the corruption charges levelled by the website against senior ministers of the government.{{cite news |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?211498 |title=West Bengal: Elections 2001 Countdown |work=Outlook India |date=3 May 2001 |access-date=24 February 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207055623/http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?211498 |archive-date=7 December 2013 }}

File:Sushree Mamata Banerjee assumes the charge of the Minister for Coal and Mines in New Delhi on January 9, 2004.jpg

She returned to the NDA government in September 2003 as a cabinet minister without any portfolio.{{Cite news|date=22 September 2003|title=Vajpayee reinducts Mamata Banerjee as cabinet minister without portfolio|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/glass-house/story/20030922-vajpayee-reinducts-mamata-banerjee-as-cabinet-minister-792033-2003-09-22|access-date=4 January 2021|work=India Today|language=en|archive-date=1 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201194502/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/glass-house/story/20030922-vajpayee-reinducts-mamata-banerjee-as-cabinet-minister-792033-2003-09-22|url-status=live}} Along with Mamata, her party colleague Sudip Banerjee was also inducted in the Vajpayee ministry.{{Cite news|last=Sahay|first=Tara Shankar|title=Mamata back in Cabinet, cut to size|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2003/sep/08cab2.htm|access-date=4 January 2021|work=Rediff|language=en|archive-date=14 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514110949/https://www.rediff.com/news/2003/sep/08cab2.htm|url-status=live}} On 9 January 2004 she took charge as Ministry of Coal and Mines.{{Cite web|title=Coal portfolio is good enough: Mamata|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2003/sep/08cab1.htm|access-date=4 January 2021|website=Rediff|language=en|archive-date=1 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201134835/https://www.rediff.com/news/2003/sep/08cab1.htm|url-status=live}} During her short term as the minister of coal and mines, the government disallowed the sale of the National Aluminium Company.{{Cite news|date=20 January 2004|title=Mamata Tantrums Now Against Nalco Sale|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/archive/mamata-tantrums-now-against-nalco-sale/97712/|access-date=31 January 2021|work=The Financial Express|language=en-US|archive-date=5 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205011114/https://www.financialexpress.com/archive/mamata-tantrums-now-against-nalco-sale/97712/|url-status=live}} She held the Coal and Mines portfolios till 22 May 2004.

In Indian general election of 2004 her party aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party. However, the alliance lost the election and she was the only Trinamool Congress member to be elected from a parliamentary seat from West Bengal.{{Cite news|date=14 May 2004|title=Why did the NDA lose West Bengal?|url=https://www.rediff.com/election/2004/may/14mamata.htm|access-date=28 December 2020|website=Rediff|language=en|archive-date=2 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902205412/https://www.rediff.com/election/2004/may/14mamata.htm|url-status=live}} Banerjee suffered further setbacks in 2005 when her party lost control of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and the sitting mayor Subrata Mukherjee defected from her party.{{Cite news|date=5 May 2010|title=Subrata Mukherjee joins Trinamool|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/subrata-mukherjee-joins-trinamool/story-WKZAc5mqYelTwHS9AjowiM.html|access-date=5 February 2021|work=Hindustan Times|language=en|archive-date=13 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513054937/https://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/subrata-mukherjee-joins-trinamool/story-WKZAc5mqYelTwHS9AjowiM.html|url-status=live}} In 2006, the Trinamool Congress was defeated in West Bengal's Assembly Elections, losing more than half of its sitting members.

On 4 August 2006, Banerjee hurled her resignation papers at the deputy speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal in Lok Sabha. She was provoked by Speaker Somnath Chatterjee's rejection of her adjournment motion on illegal infiltration by Bangladeshis in West Bengal{{cite news|url=http://ww.itimes.com/photo/mamata-banerjee-cartoons-512c4fa31fae4|title=Mamata Banerjee cartoons |work=itimes|access-date=7 July 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807200203/http://ww.itimes.com/photo/mamata-banerjee-cartoons-512c4fa31fae4|archive-date=7 August 2016|date=26 February 2013}}{{cite news |title=Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee biography |date=12 May 2011 |work=India Today |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mamata-banerjee-biography/1/137953.html |access-date=7 July 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806091810/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mamata-banerjee-biography/1/137953.html |archive-date=6 August 2016}}{{cite news |first=Harihar |last=Swarup |title=Profile: The incorrigible Mamata |work=Tribune India |location=Chandigarh |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20061224/edit.htm#2 |access-date=7 July 2016|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307090736/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20061224/edit.htm#2 |archive-date=7 March 2016}} on the grounds that it was not in the proper format.{{cite news |title=Mamata Banerjee's unending tantrums|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/08/08/stories/2005080804081000.htm|date=8 August 2005|access-date=2 December 2006 |location=Chennai |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070320192445/http://www.hindu.com/2005/08/08/stories/2005080804081000.htm|work=The Hindu|archive-date=20 March 2007}}{{cite news|title=Mamata casts shame at House Paper throw at Speaker|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050805/asp/frontpage/story_5077148.asp|date=4 August 2005|access-date=2 December 2006|location=Calcutta |work=The Telegraph|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822234553/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050805/asp/frontpage/story_5077148.asp|archive-date=22 August 2007}}

On 20 October 2005, she protested against the forceful land acquisition and the atrocities perpetrated against local farmers in the name of the industrial development policy of the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee government in West Bengal. Benny Santoso, CEO of the Indonesia-based Salim Group, had pledged a large investment in West Bengal, and the West Bengal government had given him farmland in Howrah, sparking protests. In soaking rain, Banerjee and other Trinamool Congress members stood in front of the Taj Hotel where Santoso had arrived, shut out by the police. Later, she and her supporters followed Santoso's convoy. A planned "black flag" protest was avoided when the government had Santoso arrive three hours ahead of schedule.{{cite news

|title=Weather plays spoilsport for TMC|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/oct212005/national18114720051020.asp|date=21 October 2005|access-date=2 December 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070218074247/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/oct212005/national18114720051020.asp |archive-date=18 February 2007}}{{cite news|title=Missing on bandh day: its champions – Mamata stays indoors, Cong scarce|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1061010/asp/bengal/story_6851157.asp|date=10 October 2006|access-date=2 December 2006|location=Calcutta|work=The Telegraph|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930041000/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1061010/asp/bengal/story_6851157.asp|archive-date=30 September 2007}}

{{Main|Tata Nano Singur controversy}}

In November 2006, Banerjee was forcibly stopped on her way to Singur for a rally against a proposed Tata Motors car project. Banerjee reached the West Bengal assembly and protested at the venue. She addressed a press conference at the assembly and announced a 12-hour shutdown by her party on Friday.{{cite news |title=Trinamool unleashes violence in West Bengal|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1856399%2C000900030001.htm |date=30 November 2006 |access-date=2 December 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930015135/http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1856399%2C000900030001.htm |archive-date=30 September 2007 }} After being arrested by police earlier in that day "for violating prohibitory orders" near Singur, she alleged that the administration had acted "unconstitutionally" by preventing her from entering Singur where the Tata motors proposed to set up a small car factory. She was intercepted at Hooghly and sent back.{{cite news|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-trinamool-congress-legislators-go-on-the-rampage-in-house-1067047|title=Trinamool Congress legislators go on the rampage in House|first=Sumanta Ray|last=Chaudhuri|date=30 November 2006|website=DNA India|access-date=13 June 2021|archive-date=13 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613101934/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-trinamool-congress-legislators-go-on-the-rampage-in-house-1067047|url-status=live}} After this incident the Trinamool Congress MLAs protested by damaging furniture and microphones and vandalising the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Building.{{cite news|date=2 December 2006|title=Heritage vandalised in Bengal House|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Heritage-vandalised-in-Bengal-House/articleshow/678018.cms|url-status=live|access-date=2 December 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103201138/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-12-02/india/27828165_1_bengal-house-assembly-building-benches|archive-date=3 November 2012}} A major strike was called on 14 December 2006. But all in all there was no gain. On 4 December, Banerjee began the historic 26-day hunger strike in Kolkata protesting the forcible acquisition of farmland by the government. The then-President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, who was concerned about her health, spoke to the then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to resolve the issue. Kalam also appealed to Banerjee to withdraw her fast as "life is precious". A letter from Manmohan Singh was faxed to Gopalkrishna Gandhi, the then-Governor of West Bengal, and then it was immediately delivered to Mamata. After receiving the letter Mamata finally broke her fast at midnight on 29 December.{{cite news|date=29 December 2006|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/mamata-ends-25-day-hunger-strike/story-s7gIzBR4FvivAKFuYozrLM.html|title=Mamata ends 25-day hunger strike|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=19 June 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200335/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/mamata-ends-25-day-hunger-strike/story-s7gIzBR4FvivAKFuYozrLM.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|date=4 December 2020|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/farmers-agitation-mamata-reminds-people-of-her-26-day-hunger-strike-179907|title=Mamata Banerjee dials protesting farmers, assures TMC's support|website=The Tribune|access-date=19 June 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201106/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/farmers-agitation-mamata-reminds-people-of-her-26-day-hunger-strike-179907|url-status=live}}{{cite news|date=4 December 2020|url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/national-news/west-bengal-cm-mamata-banerjee-reminds-people-of-her-26-day-hunger-strike-514753|title=West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee reminds people of her 26-day hunger strike|website=The Sentinel|access-date=19 June 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200747/https://www.sentinelassam.com/national-news/west-bengal-cm-mamata-banerjee-reminds-people-of-her-26-day-hunger-strike-514753|url-status=live}}{{cite news|date=4 December 2020|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/mamata-banerjee-remembers-singur-hunger-strike-context-ongoing-farmers-protest-1502938968.html|title=Mamata Banerjee remembers Singur hunger strike in context of ongoing farmers protest|website=The Statesman|access-date=19 June 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201349/https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/mamata-banerjee-remembers-singur-hunger-strike-context-ongoing-farmers-protest-1502938968.html|url-status=live}} In 2016 the Supreme Court declared that the acquisition of 997 acres of land by West Bengal's Left Front government for the Tata Motors plant in Singur was illegal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/Yrl5OkSielFvHttnG4AajM/CPM-govts-acquisition-of-land-for-Tata-Motors-in-Singur-ill.html?facet=amp|title=Singur case: Supreme Court declares land acquisition for Tata plant illegal|website=livemint.com|date=1 September 2016|language=en|access-date=21 June 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202640/https://www.livemint.com/Politics/Yrl5OkSielFvHttnG4AajM/CPM-govts-acquisition-of-land-for-Tata-Motors-in-Singur-ill.html?facet=amp|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Nandigram violence}}

In 2007 a battalion of armed police stormed the rural area of Nandigram in the district of Purba Medinipur with the aim of quashing protests against the West Bengal government's plans to expropriate {{convert|10000|acre|km2}} of land for a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to be developed by the Indonesian-based Salim Group. At least 14 villagers were shot dead and 70 more were wounded. This led to a large number of intellectuals to protest on the streets.{{cite news|url=http://news.oneindia.in/2007/11/30/nandigram-peoples-struggle-heroic-clark-1196438590.html|title=Nandigram people's struggle "heroic": Clark|work=One India|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217023009/http://news.oneindia.in/2007/11/30/nandigram-peoples-struggle-heroic-clark-1196438590.html|archive-date=17 February 2012}}{{cite news|url=http://www.iacboston.org/india/1207-nandigram-says-no.html|title=Nandigram says 'No!' to Dow's chemical hub|work=International Action Center|author=Kirschbaum, Stevan|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706032521/http://www.iacboston.org/india/1207-nandigram-says-no.html|archive-date=6 July 2009|access-date=14 February 2009}}{{cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/story/246969.html |title=The Great Left Debate: Chomsky to Saddam, Iraq to Nandigram |date=5 December 2007 |work=The Indian Express |location=India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080416093108/http://www.indianexpress.com/story/246969.html |archive-date=16 April 2008 }} CPI(M) cadres allegedly molested and raped 300 women and girls during the Nandigram invasions.{{cite news |last1=Sarkar |first1=Arindam |title=Mamata promises to marry off raped girls of Nandigram |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/mamata-promises-to-marry-off-raped-girls-of-nandigram/story-umlmKryBUWdkP6re98mV2L.html |newspaper=Hindustan Times |access-date=27 April 2019 |date=26 April 2007 |archive-date=27 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427095714/https://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/mamata-promises-to-marry-off-raped-girls-of-nandigram/story-umlmKryBUWdkP6re98mV2L.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web|date=19 December 2007|title=CPI(M) leaders raped mother and daughters in Nandigram: CBI|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/latest-headlines/story/cpim-leaders-raped-mother-and-daughters-in-nandigram-cbi-21735-2007-12-19|work=India Today|access-date=30 November 2021|archive-date=29 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129203547/https://www.indiatoday.in/latest-headlines/story/cpim-leaders-raped-mother-and-daughters-in-nandigram-cbi-21735-2007-12-19|url-status=live}}

Banerjee wrote letters to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil to stop what she called "state-sponsored violence" promoted by CPI(M) in Nandigram.{{Cite news| url=http://sanhati.com/articles/446/| title=You are not what you were – Ashok Mitra after 14th November, 2007| author=Mitra, Ashok| date=15 November 2007| work=Sanhati| access-date=4 November 2021| archive-date=18 December 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218200129/http://sanhati.com/articles/446/| url-status=live}}{{Cite news| url=http://www.indiaenews.com/india/20061207/31650.htm| title='Go back Medha' posters in Kolkata| work=India eNews.com| date=7 December 2006| access-date=23 February 2010| archive-date=11 January 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070111170928/http://www.indiaenews.com/india/20061207/31650.htm| url-status=dead}} Her political activism during the movement is widely believed to be one of the contributing causes to her landslide victory in 2011.

The CBI report on the incident vindicated CPI(M)'s stand that Buddhadeb did not order the police to open fire. They did so only to disperse the unlawful assembly after every other standard operating procedure had failed.{{cite news|last=Sen|first=Saibal|title=Nandigram firing: Full text of CBI's Nandigram chargesheet|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Nandigram-firing-Full-text-of-CBIs-Nandigram-chargesheet/articleshow/29665581.cms|access-date=17 March 2014|newspaper=The Times of India|date=31 January 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201184221/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Nandigram-firing-Full-text-of-CBIs-Nandigram-chargesheet/articleshow/29665581.cms|archive-date=1 February 2014}}{{cite news |title=Red-hand Buddha: 14 killed in Nandigram re-entry bid |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070315/asp/frontpage/story_7519166.asp |work=The Telegraph |date=15 March 2007 |access-date=15 March 2007 |location=Calcutta |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070317192827/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070315/asp/frontpage/story_7519166.asp |archive-date=17 March 2007 }} But supporting the violence in Nandigram by his own party workers, Buddhadeb Bhattacharya had said earlier "They (the oppositions) have been paid back in the same coin."{{cite news|url=https://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/violent-elements-paid-back-in-their-own-coin_407133.html|title='Violent elements paid back in their own coin'|date=13 November 2007|website=Zee News|access-date=13 June 2021|archive-date=13 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613093249/https://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/violent-elements-paid-back-in-their-own-coin_407133.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2007/nov/13nandi6.htm|title=Oppn paid back in the same coin, says Bengal CM|website=Rediff.com|access-date=13 June 2021|archive-date=13 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613093249/https://www.rediff.com/news/2007/nov/13nandi6.htm|url-status=live}} There are allegations of involvement of some local TMC leaders in the Nandigram Violence{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/mamata-conducts-massive-roadshow-in-nandigram/article34188262.ece|title=West Bengal Assembly elections | Battle for Nandigram turns personal|first=Shiv Sahay|last=Singh|date=29 March 2021|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=8 April 2021|archive-date=10 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610055642/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/mamata-conducts-massive-roadshow-in-nandigram/article34188262.ece|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=30 March 2021|url=https://bartamanpatrika.com/detailNews.php?cID=13&nID=286426&P=1&nPID=20210330|title=এখানে জিতব, এখান থেকে সরকার গড়ব, নন্দীগ্রামে আত্মবিশ্বাসী মমতা | হুইল চেয়ারেই নন্দীগ্রামের মানুষের দুয়ারে পৌঁছলেন নেত্রী|website=bartamanpatrika.com|language=bn|access-date=14 June 2021|archive-date=14 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614052833/https://bartamanpatrika.com/detailNews.php?cID=13&nID=286426&P=1&nPID=20210330|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=29 March 2021|url=https://www.aajkaal.in/news/state/west-bengal-assembly-election-2021-cm-mamata-banerjee-and-bjp-leader-suvendu-adhikaris-poll-campaign-at-nandigram-live-update-1e3v|title='‌চটি–পুলিশকে ওঁরাই ডেকেছে, পুলিশের ড্রেসেই নন্দীগ্রামে গুলি.‌.‌.‌', ফের বিস্ফোরক মমতা‌|website=aajkaal.in|language=bn|access-date=14 June 2021|archive-date=14 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614052820/https://www.aajkaal.in/news/state/west-bengal-assembly-election-2021-cm-mamata-banerjee-and-bjp-leader-suvendu-adhikaris-poll-campaign-at-nandigram-live-update-1e3v|url-status=live}}

File:Chief Minister Government of West Bengal (20054618606).jpg

Before the 2009 parliamentary elections she allied with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) led by Indian National Congress. The alliance won 26 seats. Banerjee joined the central cabinet as the railway minister (second tenure). In the 2010 Municipal Elections in West Bengal, TMC won Kolkata Municipal Corporation by a margin of 62 seats. TMC also won Bidhan Nagar Corporation by a seven-seat margin.{{cite news|last=Singh|first=Raj|title=Who is Mamata Banerjee?|url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national/who-is-mamata-banerjee--5920.html|access-date=24 December 2014|publisher=India TV|date=20 April 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109064644/http://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national/who-is-mamata-banerjee--5920.html|archive-date=9 January 2015}} In 2011, Banerjee won a sweeping majority and assumed the position of chief minister of the state of West Bengal. Her party ended the 34-year rule of the Left Front.

Trinamool Congress performed well in the 2009 parliamentary election, winning 19 seats. Its allies in Congress and SUCI also won six and one seats respectively marking the best performance by any opposition party in West Bengal since the beginning of the Left's regime. Until then, the Congress victory of 16 seats in 1984, was considered their best show in opposition.

In 2009, Mamata Banerjee became the railway minister for the second time. Her focus was again on West Bengal.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/other-states/article1137196.ece |title=Mamata gifts new projects to north Bengal |work=The Hindu |date=29 January 2011 |access-date=24 February 2012 |location=Chennai |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206223959/http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/other-states/article1137196.ece |archive-date=6 December 2013 }}

File:The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil administering the oath as Cabinet Minister to Km. Mamata Banerjee, at a Swearing-in Ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on May 22, 2009.jpg

She led Indian Railways to introduce a number of non-stop Duronto Express trains connecting large cities{{cite web |url=http://trak.in/news/mamata-flags-off-sealdah-new-delhi-duronto-express/5901/ |title=mamata-flags-off-sealdah-new-delhi-duronto-express |publisher=Armoks News |access-date=16 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091014075956/http://trak.in/news/mamata-flags-off-sealdah-new-delhi-duronto-express/5901/ |archive-date=14 October 2009 }} as well as a number of other passenger trains,{{cite news |url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/mamata-banerjee-to-start-19-new-trainsfebruary-7/384573/ |title=Mamata Banerjee to start 19 new trains on 7 February |work=Business Standard |access-date=4 February 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303003438/http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/mamata-banerjee-to-start-19-new-trainsfebruary-7/384573/ |archive-date=3 March 2012 |date=4 February 2010 |last=Chatterji |first=Saubhadro }} including women-only trains.{{cite web |url=http://www.marieclaire.com/world-reports/opinion/india-women-only-trains |title=A New Way to Commute: Women-Only Trains in India |work=Marie Claire |access-date=27 January 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128121934/http://www.marieclaire.com/world-reports/opinion/india-women-only-trains |archive-date=28 January 2010 |date=27 January 2010 }}{{cite news |url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/mamata-keeps-word-ladies-special-rolls-out-today-metro-link-on-track/491276/ |title=Ladies Special Rolls Out |work=Express India |access-date=16 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010191635/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/mamata-keeps-word-ladies-special-rolls-out-today-metro-link-on-track/491276/

|archive-date=10 October 2012 }}{{cite web |url=http://bombay-local.blogspot.com/2009/08/new-cst-panvel-ladies-special-trains.html |title=New CST Panvel Ladies Special |work=Bombay-Local |access-date=16 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029141633/http://bombay-local.blogspot.com/2009/08/new-cst-panvel-ladies-special-trains.html |archive-date=29 October 2009 }} The Anantnag-Qadigund segment of the Jammu–Baramulla line that had been in the making since 1994{{cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/19981010/28350834.html |work=The Indian Express |date=10 October 1998 |title=Destination nowhere |first=Arun |last=Sharma |access-date=14 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318223757/http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/19981010/28350834.html |archive-date=18 March 2012 }} was inaugurated during her tenure.{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=53658|work=Press Release, Press Information Bureau, Government of India|date=28 October 2009|title=Prime Minister dedicates Anantnag-Quazigund rail line in Kashmir to nation|access-date=2 December 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112063748/http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=53658|archive-date=12 January 2016}} She also declared the {{convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}} long line-1 of the Kolkata Metro as an independent zone of the Indian Railways{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/30/stories/2010123067622400.htm |title=Kolkata Metro gets railway zone status |work=The Hindu |date=30 December 2010 |access-date=24 February 2012 |location=Chennai |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929030204/http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/30/stories/2010123067622400.htm |archive-date=29 September 2011 }} for which she was criticised.{{cite news|url=http://www.asianage.com/india/rail-budget-parliament-uproar-over-kolkata-metro-plan-615 |title=Rail budget: Parliament uproar over Kolkata metro plan |work=Asian Age |date=25 February 2011 |access-date=24 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110324222150/http://www.asianage.com/india/rail-budget-parliament-uproar-over-kolkata-metro-plan-615 |archive-date=24 March 2011 }}

She stepped down as railway minister to become the chief minister of West Bengal. She commented: "The way I am leaving the railways behind, it will run well. Don't worry, my successor will get all my support."{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110518/jsp/nation/story_13996638.jsp |title=Job done, successor only has to monitor |work=The Telegraph |date=18 May 2011 |access-date=24 February 2012 |location=Calcutta |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127173353/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110518/jsp/nation/story_13996638.jsp |archive-date=27 November 2013 }} Her nominee from her party, Dinesh Trivedi, succeeded her as railway minister.

Banerjee's tenure as railway minister was subsequently questioned as most of the big-ticket announcements made by her when she held the post, saw little or no progress.{{cite news|url=http://business-standard.com/india/news/mamatas-big-rail-plans2011-12-still-stuckperformance-track/467535/|title=Mamata's big rail plans of 2011–12 still stuck on performance track|access-date=13 March 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707114911/http://business-standard.com/india/news/mamatas-big-rail-plans2011-12-still-stuckperformance-track/467535/|archive-date=7 July 2012|url-status=dead}} Reuters reported that "Her two-year record as railway minister has been heavily criticized for running the network into more debt to pay for populist measures such as more passenger trains."{{cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-56950620110512|title=Special Report – "Big Sister" Mamata set to evict Left from Kolkata|last=Scrutton|first=Alistair|date=12 May 2011|work=Reuters|access-date=24 February 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303115523/http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-56950620110512|archive-date=3 March 2012}} The Indian Railways became loss-making during her two-year tenure.{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-budget-2011-railway-why-the-railways-under-mamata-are-incurring-loss/20110128.htm|title=Why Indian Railways is incurring losses under Mamata|date=28 January 2011|work=Rediff.com|access-date=24 February 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120174002/http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-budget-2011-railway-why-the-railways-under-mamata-are-incurring-loss/20110128.htm|archive-date=20 January 2012}}

{{Main|First Mamata Banerjee ministry}}

File:Mamata Banerjee with Hillary Clinton.jpg during a meeting with West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee at the Writers', Kolkata on 7 May 2012.]]

File:Chief Minister Government of West Bengal (20086289081).jpg on 27 July 2015.]]

In 2011, the All India Trinamool Congress along with SUCI and the INC won the West Bengal legislative assembly election against the incumbent Left Alliance by securing 227 seats. TMC won 184 seats with the INC winning 42 seats and the SUCI secured one seat. This marked the end of the longest-ruling democratically elected Communist party in the world.{{Cite journal |date=10 June 2011 |title=The defeat of the Left Front in West Bengal, India |url=https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2011/06/10/the-defeat-of-the-left-front-in-west-bengal-india/ |access-date=11 July 2022 |website=East Asia Forum |language=en |last1=Lahiri-Dutt |first1=Kuntala |archive-date=11 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711152314/https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2011/06/10/the-defeat-of-the-left-front-in-west-bengal-india/ |url-status=live }}

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Banerjee was sworn in as chief minister of West Bengal on 20 May 2011.{{cite news |title=Mamata Banerjee sworn in as West Bengal chief minister |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-13465915 |access-date=3 January 2021 |work=BBC News |date=20 May 2011 |archive-date=1 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201064250/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-13465915 |url-status=live }} As the first female chief minister of West Bengal, one of her first decisions was to return 400 acres of land to Singur farmers. "The cabinet has decided to return 400 acres to unwilling farmers in Singur," the chief minister said. "I have instructed the department to prepare the papers for this. If Tata-babu (Ratan Tata) wants, he can set up his factory on the remaining 600 acres, otherwise we will see how to go about it."{{cite news |title=Singur Land Given Back |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Singur-land-return-kicks-off-Mamata-power-stint/articleshow/8476024.cms |access-date=30 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108045450/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-21/kolkata/29567996_1_unwilling-farmers-mamata-banerjee-singur |archive-date=8 January 2014 |url-status=live |work=The Times of India }}

She has also been credited for setting up of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration.{{cite news |title=Gorkhaland Autonomous Council |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Gorkhaland-pact-Chidambaram-credits-Didi-Gurung-with-deal/articleshow/9277972.cms |date=19 July 2011 |access-date=30 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108035912/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-19/kolkata/29790280_1_gjm-roshan-giri-mamata |archive-date=8 January 2014 |url-status=live |work=The Times of India }}

She began various reforms in the education and health sectors. Some of the reforms in the education sector included the release of teachers' monthly pay on the first of every month{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/04/stories/2011060458730100.htm |location=Chennai |title=College teachers to get salary by the first of every month |date=4 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825183018/http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/04/stories/2011060458730100.htm |archive-date=25 August 2011 |work=The Hindu }}{{cite news|url=http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/india/154568-mamata-effect-salaries-on-first-of-the-month.html |title=Mamata effect: Salaries on first day of the month |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721070317/http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/india/154568-mamata-effect-salaries-on-first-of-the-month.html |archive-date=21 July 2012 }} and quicker pensions for retiring teachers.{{cite news |title=Quicker pensions for retiring teachers: Mamata |work=The Times of India |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-03/kolkata/29616471_1_school-teachers-part-time-teachers-teaching-community }}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} In the health sector Banerjee promised: "A three-phase developmental system will be taken up to improve the health infrastructure and service."{{cite news |url=http://www.aalatimes.com/2011/06/13/mamata-banerjee-announces-health-sector-reform/ |title=Mamata Banerjee announced health sector reform |access-date=3 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110819080145/http://www.aalatimes.com/2011/06/13/mamata-banerjee-announces-health-sector-reform/ |archive-date=19 August 2011 |url-status=usurped }} On 30 April 2015, a representative of UNICEF India congratulated the government for making Nadia the first Open Defecation Free district in the country.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/mamata-declares-nadia-first-opendefecation-free-district-in-india/article7158148.ece|title=Mamata declares Nadia first 'open defecation-free' district in India|newspaper=The Hindu|date=30 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112063746/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/mamata-declares-nadia-first-opendefecation-free-district-in-india/article7158148.ece|archive-date=12 January 2016}} In a statement on 17 October 2012, Banerjee attributed the increasing incidence of rape in the country to "more free interaction between men and women". She said that "Earlier if men and women would hold hands, they would get caught by parents and reprimanded but now everything is so open. It's like an open market with open options." She was criticised in the national media for these statements.{{Cite news|url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/NAT-TOP-mamata-banerjee-blames-media-free-interaction-of-men-women-for-rising-cases-of-rape-3928213-.html|title=Mamata blames media, 'free interaction of men-women' for rising cases of rape!|date=17 October 2012|work=Daily Bhaskar|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101054330/http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/NAT-TOP-mamata-banerjee-blames-media-free-interaction-of-men-women-for-rising-cases-of-rape-3928213-.html|archive-date=1 January 2013}}

She was also instrumental in the rollback of the petrol price hikes{{cite news |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/west-bengal/petrol-price-cut-a-positive-step-mamata-banerjee_742058.html |work=Zee News |title=Petrol price cut a positive step: Mamata Banerjee |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210012614/http://zeenews.india.com/news/west-bengal/petrol-price-cut-a-positive-step-mamata-banerjee_742058.html |archive-date=10 December 2013 }} and the suspension of FDI in the retail sector until a consensus is evolved.{{cite news |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/dont-want-govt-to-fall-but-cant-support-fdi-mamata-to-pm/883290/ |work=The Indian Express |title=Dodon't want government to fail, but can't support FDI |access-date=3 December 2011 |archive-date=10 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610055645/https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/dont-want-govt-to-fall-but-cant-support-fdi-mamata-to-pm/ |url-status=live }} In a bid to improve the law and enforcement situation in West Bengal, police commissioners were created at Howrah, Barrackpore, Durgapur-Asansol and Bidhannagar. The total area of Kolkata Municipal Corporation was brought under the control of the Kolkata Police.

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Banerjee had shown a keen interest in making the public aware of the state's history and culture. She named several stations of the Kolkata Metro after freedom fighters,{{cite news|title=Game of the name|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090726/jsp/calcutta/story_11281380.jsp|access-date=29 February 2012|work=The Telegraph India|location=Calcutta|first=Soumitra|last=Das|date=26 July 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127175711/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090726/jsp/calcutta/story_11281380.jsp|archive-date=27 November 2013}} and plans on naming upcoming stations after religious leaders, poets, singers and the like.{{cite news|title=Didi's metro name game|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110116/jsp/bengal/story_13447860.jsp|access-date=29 February 2012|work=The Telegraph India|location=Calcutta |first=Sanjay|last=Mandal|date=16 January 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417051853/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110116/jsp/bengal/story_13447860.jsp|archive-date=17 April 2012}} Mamata Banerjee has been criticised for starting controversial stipends to imams (Iman Bhatta){{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/mamata-muslims-and-paribartan/article8517367.ece|title=Mamata, Muslims and paribartan|last=Gupta|first=Smita|date=25 April 2016|work=The Hindu|access-date=2 January 2018|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101140247/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/mamata-muslims-and-paribartan/article8517367.ece|archive-date=1 January 2018|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/opinion/mamata-banerjees-appeasement-policies-have-created-real-danger-1721089|title=Opinion: Mamata Banerjee's Appeasement Policies Have Created Real Danger|work=NDTV |access-date=2 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103074037/https://www.ndtv.com/opinion/mamata-banerjees-appeasement-policies-have-created-real-danger-1721089|archive-date=3 January 2018|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/there-s-a-method-to-the-west-bengal-madness/story-2kOsMxzXPVVV4nIANYKoNM.html|title=Bengal's people must step in to save the state from communal politics|date=11 July 2017|work=hindustantimes.com/|access-date=2 January 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103072625/http://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/there-s-a-method-to-the-west-bengal-madness/story-2kOsMxzXPVVV4nIANYKoNM.html|archive-date=3 January 2018|url-status=live}} which was ruled unconstitutional by Calcutta High Court.{{Cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/mamatas-allowance-to-imams-unconstitutional-rules-calcutta-hc-1080409.html|title=Mamata's allowance to Imams unconstitutional, rules Calcutta HC|date=3 September 2013|work=Firstpost|access-date=2 January 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103081032/http://www.firstpost.com/politics/mamatas-allowance-to-imams-unconstitutional-rules-calcutta-hc-1080409.html|archive-date=3 January 2018|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-dangerous-connivance/article4585420.ece|title=A dangerous connivance|last=Chatterjee|first=Garga|date=6 April 2013|work=The Hindu|access-date=2 January 2018|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430083844/http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-dangerous-connivance/article4585420.ece|archive-date=30 April 2014|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |first=Monideepa |last=Banerjie |date=2 September 2013 |title=Calcutta High Court scraps Mamata Banerjee's stipend to imams |publisher=NDTV |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/calcutta-high-court-scraps-mamata-banerjees-stipend-to-imams-533409 |access-date=2 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103072742/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/calcutta-high-court-scraps-mamata-banerjees-stipend-to-imams-533409 |archive-date=3 January 2018 |url-status=live}}

File:Chief Minister Government of West Bengal (19892837430).jpg, then Minister of State for Employment in Government of United Kingdom, and former Home Secretary of United Kingdom meeting Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister Government of West Bengal in London.]]

On 16 February 2012, Bill Gates, of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, sent a letter to the West Bengal government praising Banerjee and her administration for achieving a full year without any reported cases of polio. The letter said this was not only a milestone for India but also for the whole world.{{cite news |url=http://post.jagran.com/bill-gates-appreciates-mamata-banerjee-for-polio-eradication-1329885022 |title=Bill Gates appreciates Mamata Banerjee for polio eradication |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223041241/http://post.jagran.com/bill-gates-appreciates-mamata-banerjee-for-polio-eradication-1329885022 |archive-date=23 February 2012 |access-date=23 February 2012}}

In June 2012, she launched a Facebook page to rally and gather public support for A.P.J Abdul Kalam, her party's choice for the presidential elections.{{Cite news |url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/mamata-launches-facebook-page-seeks-support-for-apj-abdul-kalam-232142 |title=Mamata launches Facebook page – seeks support for APJ Abdul Kalam |date=16 June 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616082835/http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/mamata-launches-facebook-page-seeks-support-for-apj-abdul-kalam-232142 |archive-date=16 June 2012 }} After he refused to stand for the second time, she supported Pranab Mukherjee for the post, after a long tussle over the issue, commenting she was personally a "great fan" of Mukherjee and wishing that he "grows from strength to strength".{{cite news |title=Mamata didi is a big fan of Pranab Mukherjee |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-05-03/news/31558997_1_pranab-mukherjee-trinamool-congress-congress-party |work=Economic Times |date=3 May 2012 |access-date=26 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226202800/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-05-03/news/31558997_1_pranab-mukherjee-trinamool-congress-congress-party |archive-date=26 February 2015 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|author=R.N. Subrahmanyam|date=3 May 2012|title=Prez polls: Mamata throws surprise on Pranab Mukherjee|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/prez-polls-mamata-throws-surprise-on-pranab-mukherjee/944883/2|access-date=16 October 2012|work=The Indian Express|archive-date=10 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610055646/https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/latest-news/prez-polls-mamata-throws-surprise-on-pranab-mukherjee/|url-status=live}}

She is against calling bandhs (work stoppage) although actively supported them when she was in opposition.{{cite news|date=28 February 2012|title=Mamata Banerjee admits her calls for bandh were a mistake|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mamata-banerjee-admits-her-calls-for-bandh-were-a-mistake-469147|work=NDTV|access-date=26 September 2021|archive-date=25 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925205930/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mamata-banerjee-admits-her-calls-for-bandh-were-a-mistake-469147|url-status=live}}

Her tenure was also heavily marred by the Saradha Scam – financial embezzlement which led to the imprisonment of Madan Mitra – a former minister in her cabinet, Kunal Ghosh – a party MP, and rigorous grilling of several party men holding important posts.

{{Main|Second Mamata Banerjee ministry}}

File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Ms. Sheikh Hasina and the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Ms. Mamata Banerjee at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on April 08, 2017.jpg

File:The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind unveiling the Foundation Stone of Savitribai Public Girls Hostel and APJ Abdul Kalam International Visitors Guest House, at the 64th Annual Convocation of IIT Kharagpur, in West Bengal.JPG

In the 2016 assembly elections, All India Trinamool Congress won with a landslide two-thirds majority under Mamata Banerjee winning 211 seats out of total 293,{{cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/elections|title=NDTV Live Results|access-date=19 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517184429/http://www.ndtv.com/elections|archive-date=17 May 2016}} who has been elected as Chief Minister West Bengal for the second term.{{cite news|title=TMC storms back to power in Bengal, Cong-Left alliance loses|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/article/india-news/west-bengal-election-results-2016-counting-begins-for-294-assembly-seats/259295/|access-date=21 May 2016|agency=The Financial Express|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520213107/http://www.financialexpress.com/article/india-news/west-bengal-election-results-2016-counting-begins-for-294-assembly-seats/259295/|archive-date=20 May 2016}} All India Trinamool Congress won with an enhanced majority contesting alone and became the first ruling party to win without an ally since 1962 in West Bengal.

In 2017 Kanyashree, a scheme launched by her government, was ranked the best by the United Nations among 552 social sector schemes from across 62 countries.{{cite news|last=Kundu|first=Indrajit|date=7 October 2021|title=UN honours Mamata Banerjee with highest public service award for girl child project Kanyashree|work=India Today|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mamata-banerjee-un-public-service-award-kanyashree-netherlands-984439-2017-06-23|access-date=25 September 2021|archive-date=25 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925205929/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mamata-banerjee-un-public-service-award-kanyashree-netherlands-984439-2017-06-23|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Third Mamata Banerjee ministry}}

File:Bengal Global Business Summit - 2022.jpg

File:Mamata Banerjee with UNESCO officers.jpg as a intangible cultural heritage, on 1 September 2022.]]

File:The Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah at the 25th Eastern Zonal Council meeting, in Kolkata on December 17, 2022 (3).jpg and Mamata Banerjee at the 25th Eastern Zonal Council meeting, in Kolkata on 17 December 2022.]]

In the 2021 assembly elections, AITC won with a landslide two-thirds majority. But, Mamata Banerjee who fought from Nandigram lost against Suvendu Adhikari of the Bharatiya Janata Party by 1,956 votes.{{Cite web|date=2 May 2021|title=Nandigram: After Hours of Confusion, BJP's Suvendu Adhikari Emerges Winner|url=https://thewire.in/politics/nandigram-election-bengal-mamata-banerjee-suvendu-adhikari|work=The Wire|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-date=8 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608203828/https://thewire.in/politics/nandigram-election-bengal-mamata-banerjee-suvendu-adhikari|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Election Commission of India|url=https://results.eci.gov.in/Result2021/ConstituencywiseS25210.htm?ac=210|access-date=2 May 2021|website=results.eci.gov.in|archive-date=3 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503202328/https://results.eci.gov.in/Result2021/ConstituencywiseS25210.htm?ac=210|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|title=Nandigram Election Result 2021 LIVE: Nandigram MLA Election Result & Vote Share|url=https://www.oneindia.com/nandigram-assembly-elections-wb-210/|work=Oneindia|access-date=5 October 2021|archive-date=27 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627210242/https://www.oneindia.com/nandigram-assembly-elections-wb-210/|url-status=live}} Mamata Banerjee however challenged this outcome and the matter is sub judice.{{efn|name=details}} As her party won 213 seats out of total 292, she was elected as Chief Minister of West Bengal for the third term. Later at Raj Bhawan, she tendered her resignation to Jagdeep Dhankhar.{{Cite news |date=3 May 2021 |title=West Bengal: CM Mamata Banerjee arrives at Raj Bhavan |website=Zee News |url=https://zeenews.india.com/video/india/west-bengal-cm-mamata-banerjee-arrives-at-raj-bhavan-2359539.html |access-date=5 May 2021 |archive-date=5 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505092208/https://zeenews.india.com/video/india/west-bengal-cm-mamata-banerjee-arrives-at-raj-bhavan-2359539.html |url-status=live }} She took oath as Chief Minister on 5 May 2021.{{Cite news|last=Singh|first=Shiv Sahay|date=5 May 2021|title=Mamata Banerjee sworn in as West Bengal Chief Minister for third time|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/mamata-sworn-in-as-bengal-cm-for-third-time/article34487107.ece|access-date=5 May 2021|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=5 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505065018/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/mamata-sworn-in-as-bengal-cm-for-third-time/article34487107.ece|url-status=live}}{{cite news|date=5 May 2021|title=Mamata Banerjee takes oath as Bengal CM, says violence will be tackled firmly|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mamata-banerjee-takes-oath-as-west-bengal-cm-7302681/|access-date=5 May 2021|website=The Indian Express|language=en|archive-date=5 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505082127/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mamata-banerjee-takes-oath-as-west-bengal-cm-7302681/|url-status=live}} Her party later won 2 remaining seats and she herself won Bhabanipur by-election by a huge margin of 58,835 votes. She was sworn in as MLA on 7 October.{{Cite web|date=7 October 2021|title=বিধায়ক পদে শপথ নিলেন মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়, প্রথা ভেঙে শপথ বাক্য পাঠ করালেন রাজ্যপাল|url=https://www.sangbadpratidin.in/kolkata/mamata-banerjee-takes-oath-as-mla/|work=Sangbad Pratidin|language=bn|access-date=7 October 2021|archive-date=7 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007085122/https://www.sangbadpratidin.in/kolkata/mamata-banerjee-takes-oath-as-mla/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=7 October 2021|title=Mamata Banerjee, 2 other TMC MLAs take oath of office in presence of governor Jagdeep Dhankhar|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/kolkata-news/mamata-banerjee-2-other-tmc-mlas-take-oath-of-office-in-presence-of-governor-jagdeep-dhankhar-101633599454467.html|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=10 October 2021|archive-date=10 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010024827/https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/kolkata-news/mamata-banerjee-2-other-tmc-mlas-take-oath-of-office-in-presence-of-governor-jagdeep-dhankhar-101633599454467.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=8 October 2021|title=West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and 2 other TMC MLAs take oath, BJP legislators skip assembly|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/mamata-and-2-other-tmc-mlas-take-oath-bjp-legislators-skip-assembly/articleshow/86852464.cms|work=The Times of India|access-date=10 October 2021|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008160752/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/mamata-and-2-other-tmc-mlas-take-oath-bjp-legislators-skip-assembly/articleshow/86852464.cms|url-status=live}}

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After winning the election, following her promises she launched the scheme Lakshmir Bhandar. In this scheme women under the age of 60 were provided the basic financial help, about 500 rupees for general and 1000 rupees to minorities.{{Cite web |date=3 November 2021 |title=Bengal Govt in Financial Fix After Launch of Flagship 'Lakshmir Bhandar' Scheme |url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/bengal-govt-in-financial-fix-after-launch-of-flagship-lakshmir-bhandar-scheme-4400186.html |access-date=10 July 2022 |website=News18 |language=en |archive-date=10 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710150702/https://www.news18.com/news/politics/bengal-govt-in-financial-fix-after-launch-of-flagship-lakshmir-bhandar-scheme-4400186.html |url-status=live }} The scheme turned out to be a huge success as it became massively popular.{{Cite web |date=17 August 2021 |title=On First Day, 1.23 Million Register for Lakshmi Bhandar Scheme in West Bengal |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/on-first-day-1-23-million-register-for-lakshmi-bhandar-scheme-in-west-bengal-4095743.html |access-date=10 July 2022 |website=News18 |language=en |archive-date=10 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710145157/https://www.news18.com/news/india/on-first-day-1-23-million-register-for-lakshmi-bhandar-scheme-in-west-bengal-4095743.html |url-status=live }}

Another scheme was also projected under her leadership, Students Credit Card scheme, to give financial supports in loan to intellectual students who are unable to keep higher studies due to lack of money. The loan limit was up to 10 lakh rupees, under the nominee of government of West Bengal.{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Ronit Kumar |date=10 July 2022 |title=West Bengal Govt Distributes 'Student Credit Card' Among Beneficiaries To Help Them Pursue Higher Studies |url=https://thelogicalindian.com/trending/west-bengal-government-distributes-student-credit-card-among-students-36456 |access-date=10 July 2022 |website=thelogicalindian.com |language=en |archive-date=10 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710145151/https://thelogicalindian.com/trending/west-bengal-government-distributes-student-credit-card-among-students-36456 |url-status=live }}

On 30 November 2021, she surpassed her immediate predecessor Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee to become the third-longest-serving Chief Minister of West Bengal. If Mamata remains in office at least till 26 October 2025, she would become the second-longest-serving Chief Minister after Jyoti Basu, superseding Bidhan Chandra Royand if remains in office till 16 May 2025, she would also be become the second-female-longest-serving Chief Minister after Sheila Dikshit, superseding J. Jayalalithaa .

{{Main|Saradha Group financial scandal}}

The Saradha Group financial scandal and the Rose Valley financial scandal came to light during her tenure and her painting being sold to the firms were being scrutinised by law enforcement agencies. One of her paintings was also sold to Sudipto Sen (central figure in the Saradha scam) for {{INRConvert|1.8|c|lk=on|year=2018}}, while 20 more of her pictures were seized from other Saradha Group shareholders.{{Cite news|title=Saradha scam: Sale of Mamata Banerjee's painting for Rs 1.8 crore under CBI lens|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Saradha-scam-Sale-of-Mamata-Banerjees-painting-for-Rs-1-8-crore-under-CBI-lens/articleshow/44807114.cms|url-status=live|access-date=12 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628101631/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Saradha-scam-Sale-of-Mamata-Banerjees-painting-for-Rs-1-8-crore-under-CBI-lens/articleshow/44807114.cms|archive-date=28 June 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/proceeds-from-mamata-banerjees-paintings-under-scrutiny-as-cbi-asks-for-trinamool-accounts-745419|title=Sale of Mamata Banerjee's Paintings Under Scrutiny as CBI Asks For Trinamool Income|work=NDTV |access-date=12 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513080903/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/proceeds-from-mamata-banerjees-paintings-under-scrutiny-as-cbi-asks-for-trinamool-accounts-745419|archive-date=13 May 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=The 1.8 crore question: Is Mamata Banerjee India's most underrated artist?|website=firstpost.com|url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/the-1-8-crore-question-is-mamata-banerjee-indias-most-underrated-artist-1759725.html|url-status=dead|access-date=12 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513014451/https://www.firstpost.com/politics/the-1-8-crore-question-is-mamata-banerjee-indias-most-underrated-artist-1759725.html|archive-date=13 May 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/painter-didi-in-trouble-cbi-quizzes-tmc-on-sale-of-mamatas-paintings|title=From Rs 2 Cr to 9 Cr in 48 Hrs: Mamata Paints Bank Balance Green|work=The Quint|access-date=12 May 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007121103/https://www.thequint.com/news/india/painter-didi-in-trouble-cbi-quizzes-tmc-on-sale-of-mamatas-paintings|archive-date=7 October 2017|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/cbi-seizes-didis-20-paintings-from-chit-fund-firm-owners/articleshow/67155786.cms?from=mdr|title=CBI seizes Didi's 20 paintings from chit fund firm owners|first=Madhuparna|last=Das|date=19 December 2018|access-date=22 October 2019|newspaper=The Economic Times}}

During her tenure she challenged the federal system of India when she ordered the arrest of CBI officials, who arrived in Kolkata to investigate the Saradha Group financial scandal.{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/cops-nab-cbi-men-mamata-banerjee-at-war-with-centre/articleshow/67824420.cms |title=Kolkata police 'nab' CBI men, Mamata Banerjee at war with Centre – Times of India |access-date=11 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212043850/https://m.timesofindia.com/india/cops-nab-cbi-men-mamata-banerjee-at-war-with-centre/amp_articleshow/67824420.cms |archive-date=12 February 2019 |url-status=live }} But CBI's attempted arrest of Kolkata Police Commissioner was also an attack on federalism.{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/politics/cbis-attempted-arrest-of-kolkata-police-commissioner-was-an-attack-on-federalism|title=CBI's Attempted Arrest of Kolkata Police Commissioner Was an Attack on Federalism|website=The Wire|date=4 February 2019}}

Mamata Banerjee and her government has been accused of "Muslim appeasement" several times by different groups of people including the opposition political parties.{{cite news |date=20 June 2019 |title=Eminent Muslims give Mamata Banerjee's politics of 'appeasement' a reality check |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/eminent-muslims-give-mamata-banerjees-politics-of-appeasement-a-reality-check/1613209/ |access-date=25 December 2020 |website=The Financial Express |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Nasreen |first=Taslima |date=29 June 2019 |title=A sign of hope — Bengali Muslims are finally protesting Mamata's appeasement politics |url=https://theprint.in/opinion/sign-of-hope-bengali-muslims-are-finally-protesting-mamatas-appeasement-politics/256041/ |access-date=25 December 2020 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}{{cite news |title=What TMC's Heckling of a Muslim Cleric Tells Us About Bengal Politics and 'Minority Appeasement' |url=https://thewire.in/politics/muslims-bengal-trinamool-mamata-banerjee |access-date=25 December 2020 |website=The Wire}}{{cite news |title=Trinamool Must Check Its Own Intolerance to Counter the Rise of BJP in Bengal |url=https://thewire.in/politics/west-bengal-tmc-bjp-mamata-banerjee-hindutva |access-date=25 December 2020 |website=The Wire}} {{citation needed span|text=But refuting such claims her supporters says "Didi works for everyone, doesn't discriminate between Hindus and Muslims."|date=February 2025}} Mamata Banerjee has been criticised for starting controversial stipends to imams (Iman Bhatta).{{Cite news |last=Gupta |first=Smita |date=25 April 2016 |title=Mamata, Muslims and paribartan |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/mamata-muslims-and-paribartan/article8517367.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101140247/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/mamata-muslims-and-paribartan/article8517367.ece |archive-date=1 January 2018 |access-date=2 January 2018 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite news |title=Opinion: Mamata Banerjee's Appeasement Policies Have Created Real Danger |url=https://www.ndtv.com/opinion/mamata-banerjees-appeasement-policies-have-created-real-danger-1721089 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103074037/https://www.ndtv.com/opinion/mamata-banerjees-appeasement-policies-have-created-real-danger-1721089 |archive-date=3 January 2018 |access-date=2 January 2018 |work=NDTV}}{{Cite news |date=11 July 2017 |title=Bengal's people must step in to save the state from communal politics |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/there-s-a-method-to-the-west-bengal-madness/story-2kOsMxzXPVVV4nIANYKoNM.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103072625/http://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/there-s-a-method-to-the-west-bengal-madness/story-2kOsMxzXPVVV4nIANYKoNM.html |archive-date=3 January 2018 |access-date=2 January 2018 |work=hindustantimes.com/ |language=en}} The stipends were ruled unconstitutional by Calcutta High Court and ordered the West Bengal government to stop payment of the monthly stipend to thousands of imams and muezzins in the state.{{Cite news |date=3 September 2013 |title=Mamata's allowance to Imams unconstitutional, rules Calcutta HC |url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/mamatas-allowance-to-imams-unconstitutional-rules-calcutta-hc-1080409.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103081032/http://www.firstpost.com/politics/mamatas-allowance-to-imams-unconstitutional-rules-calcutta-hc-1080409.html |archive-date=3 January 2018 |access-date=2 January 2018 |work=Firstpost |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Chatterjee |first=Garga |date=6 April 2013 |title=A dangerous connivance |url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-dangerous-connivance/article4585420.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430083844/http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-dangerous-connivance/article4585420.ece |archive-date=30 April 2014 |access-date=2 January 2018 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite news |last=Banerjie |first=Monideepa |date=2 September 2013 |title=Calcutta High Court scraps Mamata Banerjee's stipend to imams |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/calcutta-high-court-scraps-mamata-banerjees-stipend-to-imams-533409 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103072742/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/calcutta-high-court-scraps-mamata-banerjees-stipend-to-imams-533409 |archive-date=3 January 2018 |access-date=2 January 2018 |publisher=NDTV}} In October 2016, the West Bengal government banned the Durga Puja festival immersion after 4:00 pm. Durga Puja was to take place on 12 October and Muharram on 13 October. This was seen by a section of the West Bengal population as another example of the "Muslim Appeasement" policy of Banerjee's government. The Calcutta High Court overturned the decision and called it "a bid to appease minorities".{{Cite news |date=9 October 2016 |title=Calcutta HC lifts Puja curbs, slams Bengal 'bid to appease minorities' |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/calcutta-hc-lifts-puja-curbs-slams-bengal-bid-to-appease-minorities-3073102/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403112237/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/calcutta-hc-lifts-puja-curbs-slams-bengal-bid-to-appease-minorities-3073102/ |archive-date=3 April 2017 |access-date=2 April 2017 |work=The Indian Express |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=9 October 2016 |title=Calcutta HC pulls up state for puja restrictions meant to 'appease' minorities |url=http://m.hindustantimes.com/india-news/calcutta-hc-pulls-up-state-for-puja-restrictions-meant-to-appease-minorities/story-6lzl2GWpfJjhXo3ZpUWUCO.html |access-date=2 April 2017 |work=hindustantimes.com/ |language=en}}{{Cite news |title=Calcutta HC rejects bar on Durga Puja immersion; slams state for 'minority appeasement' |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kolkata/2016/oct/09/calcutta-hc-rejects-bar-on-durga-puja-immersion-slams-state-for-minority-appeasement-1526530.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403111121/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kolkata/2016/oct/09/calcutta-hc-rejects-bar-on-durga-puja-immersion-slams-state-for-minority-appeasement-1526530.html |archive-date=3 April 2017 |access-date=2 April 2017 |work=The New Indian Express}}

{{Main|COVID-19 pandemic in West Bengal}}

Banerjee and her government was widely criticised of the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and was accused of concealing facts by the opposition, critics{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/west-bengal-coronavirus-death-toll-mamata-banerjee-tablighi-jamaat_in_5e85646ac5b6f55ebf47d216 |date=2 April 2020 |website=HuffPost |first=Rohini |last=Chatterji |quote=Confusion prevailed on the death toll from the novel coronavirus in West Bengal with Mamata Banerjee claiming only three people had been confirmed to have died of the coronavirus. However, a state health department official told PTI the death toll was now at 7. |title=Only 3 Dead In West Bengal, Says Mamata; 54 Tablighi Jamaat Attendees Quarantined |access-date=10 April 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/coronavirus-outbreak-mamata-banerjee-displays-little-cooperation-even-as-opposition-unites-to-stand-behind-centre-8239541.html |quote=Again, on 2 April, while seven coronavirus deaths in the state were confirmed by its health department, the figure was soon revised to three. |title=Coronavirus Outbreak: Mamata Banerjee displays little cooperation even as Opposition unites to stand behind Centre |website=Firstpost |first=Debobrat |last=Ghose |date=8 April 2020 |access-date=9 April 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/video/bjp-mamata-banerjee-coronavirus-bengal-tablighi-jamaat-1664619-2020-04-08 |title=Is hiding Jamaat cases about vote bank: BJP asks Mamata on Bengal coronavirus numbers |date=8 April 2020 |access-date=9 April 2020 |quote=The BJP has accused Mamata Banerjee of indulging in vote bank politics after the West Bengal Chief Minister refused to share update on those who attended the Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi, identified as a hotspot for the spread of novel coronavirus. |website=India Today}} and many doctors.{{cite news|author=ANI|date=23 April 2020|title='Gross under-testing, misreporting of Covid data': Non-resident Bengali doctors write to Mamata Banerjee|website=The Times of India|location=Kolkata|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/gross-under-testing-misreporting-of-covid-data-non-resident-bengali-doctors-write-to-mamata-banerjee/articleshow/75316682.cms|access-date=23 April 2020|quote=Citing a media report, the doctors said that West Bengal has conducted just 33.7 tests per million, compared to a national average of around 156.9 per million, despite having the capacity to conduct around 1,000 tests a day.}}
-{{cite news|first=Manogya|last=Loiwal|date=15 April 2020|title=West Bengal doctors forum hits out at govt, says not enough tests being conducted|website=indiatoday.in|location=Kolkata|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/west-bengal-doctors-forum-hits-out-at-govt-says-not-enough-tests-being-conducted-1667141-2020-04-15}}{{Verify source|date=November 2021}}

The opposition accused Mamata of playing "appeasement politics" amid the COVID-19 crisis. The West Bengal Government has been also criticised for not sending enough samples to the National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (NIRBI) for testing.{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/central-lab-says-mamata-govt-not-sending-enough-samples-for-covid-19-tests-as-bengal-reports-fewer-cases-1666467-2020-04-13 |title=Mamata govt not sending enough samples for Covid-19 testing, says central lab director |date=13 April 2020 |website=India Today |quote=Responding to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s complaints about lack of testing kits in West Bengal, Dutta said ICMR has dispatched 42,500 kits to NICED so far. |first=Indrajit |last=Kundu |location=Kolkata |access-date=14 April 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://thewire.in/government/west-bengal-covid-19-testing |title=COVID-19: Data Shows West Bengal's Testing Is the Lowest Among Larger States |website=The Wire |quote=West Bengal has conducted 1,889 tests as on April 9, according to the data furnished by the state health department. A total of 144,910 samples from 130,792 individuals have been tested as on April 9, 2020, 9 pm across India, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said. |location=Kolkata |date=11 April 2020 |first=Himadri |last=Ghosh |access-date=14 April 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/news/bengal-sitting-coronavirus-time-bomb#.Xp0XUU2udUB.whatsapp |title=Bengal sitting on a coronavirus time bomb |date=18 April 2020 |website=The Sunday Guardian |author=Shantanu Guha Ray |quote=Doctors complain that state authorities’ approval is needed for each Covid-19 test, and is regularly refused. As a result, patients suspected to be suffering from Covid-19 are not being isolated soon enough. |access-date=20 April 2020}} The government later banned use of cellphones in hospitals.{{cite news |date=23 April 2020 |first1=Ajanta |last1=Chakraborty |first2=Dwaipayan |last2=Ghosh |first3=Tamaghna |last3=Banerjee |title=West Bengal: No mobile in coronavirus facilities, says health department |newspaper=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/no-mobile-in-corona-facilities-health-dept/articleshow/75305469.cms |quote=Union minister Babul Supriyo tweeted on the ban on mobiles in hospitals, questioning its timing. He questioned whether the person who recorded the video had been "booked". Kolkata Police responded it was completely incorrect and a misinformation. |location=Kolkata |access-date=23 April 2020 }}

However, Mamata Banerjee blamed BJP's IT cell for "using fake news to malign West Bengal’s health department".{{cite news |date=6 April 2020 |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/coronavirus/fake-news-to-malign-health-dept-mamata-banerjee-on-allegation-of-foul-play-over-covid-19-death-figures-1502874514.html |title='Fake news' to malign health dept: Mamata Banerjee on allegation of foul play over COVID-19 death figures|website=The Statesman}}{{cite AV media |date=2 May 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDubAO1ytww |title=বাম বিজেপীর মিথ্যাচারের পর্দা ফাঁস |via=YouTube |language=bn}}{{cite AV media |date=22 April 2020|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxXFvfqlea8|title=Comrade, আপনাকেই বলছি... ||via=YouTube |language=bn}} Many people were arrested for spreading fake news amid lockdown.{{cite web|date=6 April 2020|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/india-crime-news-06-april-2020|title=QCrime: 8-Year-Old Raped, Killed; 32 Arrested in WB Over Fake News|website=The Quint}}{{cite news|date=5 April 2020|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-bengal-32-arrested-in-7-days-for-spreading-fake-news-amid-lockdown/story-kyKfmauGsoUUlqhAuhlixH.html|title=In Bengal, 32 arrested in 7 days for spreading fake news amid lockdown|website=Hindustan Times}} FIR was lodged against a Bengal BJP MP also for raising "false alarm" over COVID-19 deaths in Bengal.{{cite news|date=17 April 2020|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/covid-false-alarm-fir-against-bengal-bjp-mp/articleshow/75190516.cms|title=Covid 'false alarm': FIR against West Bengal BJP MP|website=Times of India}}

{{Main|2024 Kolkata rape and murder}}

Banerjee was widely{{Cite news |last=Dhillon |first=Amrit |date=16 August 2024 |title=Indian medics step up strike in protest at doctor's rape and murder |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/16/indian-medics-strike-protest-doctor-rape-murder-kolkata |access-date=29 September 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} criticised for the rape and murder of a young trainee doctor at R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital and alleged coverup{{Cite news |date=16 September 2024 |title=Kolkata rape-murder case: RG Kar senior medics allege evidence tampering as protesting colleagues meet Mamata Banerjee |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/kolkata-rape-murder-case-rg-kar-senior-medics-allege-evidence-tampering-as-protesting-colleagues-meet-mamata-banerjee-11726492463973.html |work=Mint}}{{Cite news |title=Ex-head of India's RG Kar College charged for alleged evidence tampering in rape case |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/ex-head-indias-rg-kar-college-charged-alleged-evidence-tampering-rape-case-2024-09-15/ |work=Reuters}} where she was accused{{Cite news |last=ANI |date=18 September 2024 |title=R.G. Kar Medical College victim's father accuses Mamata Banerjee of inaction: 'My daughter would have been alive...' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/west-bengal/my-daughter-would-have-been-alive-rg-kar-medical-college-victims-father-accuses-mamata-banerjee-of-inaction/article68654960.ece |access-date=29 September 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite news |last=ANI |date=11 September 2024 |title=R.G. Kar victim doctor's parents question Bengal CM; Not satisfied with Mamata Banerjee's role in case |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/west-bengal/not-satisfied-with-mamata-banerjees-role-in-case-rg-kar-victim-doctors-parents-question-bengal-cm/article68629063.ece |access-date=29 September 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} of trying to protect the now ex principal Sandip Ghosh{{Cite web |last=Mondal |first=Pranab |date=21 August 2024 |title=The power and peril of Dr Sandip Ghosh: From 'reserved teen' to principal who ran Kolkata college as 'fiefdom' |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2024/08/21/the-power-and-peril-of-dr-sandip-ghosh-from-reserved-teen-to-principal-who-ran-kolkata-college-as-fiefdom |access-date=29 September 2024 |website=Newslaundry |language=en}}{{Cite news |title=Sandip Ghosh indulged in 'business of dead bodies', says RG Kar medical college ex-colleague: Report |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kolkata-rape-murder-case-rg-kar-ex-employee-accuses-sandip-ghosh-of-selling-unclaimed-bodies-report-101724225179973.html |access-date=29 September 2024}} whose involvement in the incident is being investigated by the CBI.{{Cite web |date=20 August 2024 |title=RG Kar horror: 10 big blunders of Mamata Banerjee and her Kolkata Police |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kolkata-rg-kar-rape-murder-horror-10-big-blunders-of-mamata-banerjee-tmc-government-police-police-social-media-2585024-2024-08-20 |access-date=29 September 2024 |website=India Today |language=en}}

{{main|2024 Sandeshkhali violence}}

In February 2024, several women in Sandeshkhali village came forward saying that Trinamool Congress local bloc leader and alleged strongmen Sheikh Shahjahan, Uttam Sardar and Shibu Hazra had been sexually assaulting and raping them. Mamata Bannerjee was accused by the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders for keeping silence on the crime and protecting such criminal politicians.{{cite news |title=Sandeshkhali: BJP says Mamata Banerjee's conscience dead, questions Rahul Gandhi's 'silence' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sandeshkhali-bjp-says-mamata-banerjees-conscience-dead-questions-rahul-gandhis-silence-101708499091890.html |work=Hindustan Times |date=21 February 2024 |access-date=24 February 2024}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/sandeshkhali-violence-bjp-mp-dilip-ghosh-alleges-mamata-of-protecting-criminals-like-shahjahan-sheikh20240215101606/ |title=Sandeshkhali violence: BJP MP Dilip Ghosh alleges Mamata of protecting "criminals" like Shahjahan Sheikh |work=ANI News |date=15 February 2024 |access-date=24 February 2024}} Furthermore, TMC leader Partha Bhowmick, who visited Sandeshkhali, claimed that assault allegations were fabricated.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/sandeshkhali-bengal-minister-no-woman-complained-assault-partha-bhowmick-sujit-bose-2506693-2024-02-24 |title=Trinamool minister visits Sandeshkhali, claims assault allegations 'fake' |magazine=India Today |date=24 February 2024 |access-date=24 February 2024}} Sheikh Shahjahan has been on the run, after Enforcement Directorate officers attempted to arrest him on a corruption case, who were attacked by his supporters.{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Shiv Sanjay |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/ed-conducts-fresh-raids-at-tmc-leader-shahjahan-sheikhs-home-again/article67771376.ece|title=ED searches Sheikh Shahjahan house, asks him to appear on January 29 |work=The Hindu |date=24 January 2024 |access-date=24 February 2024}} On 29 February 2024, at around 5:30 am (IST), Shahjahan was arrested by the police from Minakhan, North 24 Parganas by them.{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/sandeshkhali-violence-west-bengal-police-arrests-tmc-leader-sheikh-shahjahan-11709172057783.html|title=Sandeshkhali violence: West Bengal Police arrests TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan|date=29 February 2024|work=Livemint}}

Throughout her political life, Banerjee has maintained a publicly austere lifestyle, dressing in simple traditional Bengali clothes and avoiding luxuries.{{cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/living/mamata-saris-the-rage-in-kolkata-this-durga-puja-99919.html|title=Mamata saris the rage in Kolkata this Durga Puja|website=FirstPost|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107080747/http://www.firstpost.com/living/mamata-saris-the-rage-in-kolkata-this-durga-puja-99919.html|archive-date=7 January 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=11 March 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/blogs/diptoshmajumdar/5/61837/mamata-express-you-cant-stop-her-anymore.html|title=Blog article in IBNLive.in.com|publisher=CNN-IBN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606192506/http://ibnlive.in.com/blogs/diptoshmajumdar/5/61837/mamata-express-you-cant-stop-her-anymore.html|archive-date=6 June 2010|url-status=dead|access-date=3 June 2010}} During an interview in April 2019, Prime minister Narendra Modi claimed that despite their political differences, Banerjee sends her own selected kurtas and sweets to him every year.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-47114401|title=On Wednesday, Bollywood star Akshay Kumar interviews PM Modi|work=BBC|access-date=25 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409193052/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-47114401|archive-date=9 April 2019|url-status=live|quote=West Bengal chief minister and arch rival Mamata Banerjee sends him sweets and kurtas every year}}

She identifies herself as a Hindu.{{cite news |title=Watch: Nusrat's Muslim, I am Hindu but we are exactly alike except she's beautiful and I am not, says Mamata |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/photo-gallery-watch-nusrat-s-muslim-i-am-hindu-but-we-are-exactly-alike-except-she-s-beautiful-and-i-am-not-says-mamata-banerje-2748543 |access-date=8 June 2019 |work=DNA |date=12 May 2019 |archive-date=14 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190614073906/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/photo-gallery-watch-nusrat-s-muslim-i-am-hindu-but-we-are-exactly-alike-except-she-s-beautiful-and-i-am-not-says-mamata-banerje-2748543 |url-status=live }} Banerjee is a self-taught painter and a poet.{{cite news|title=The poet and painter in Mamata Banerjee's looks beyond Bengal|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-poet-and-painter-in-mamata-banerjees-looks-beyond-bengal/1075840/0|access-date=2 April 2013|newspaper=Indian Express|date=18 February 2013}}{{Cite web|url=http://aitcofficial.org/publications-by-didi/|title=Publications, Poetry and Paintings : All India Trinamool Congress|website=aitcofficial.org|language=en-US|access-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171104004315/http://aitcofficial.org/publications-by-didi/|archive-date=4 November 2017|url-status=live}} Her 300 paintings were sold for ₹9crore (₹90 million, £990,000 or US$1,350,000).{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatimes.com/culture/who-we-are/wtf-mamata-banerjee-paintings-sold-for-9-crores-285240.html|title=WTF: Mamata Banerjee Paintings Sold For 9 Crores|work=indiatimes.com|access-date=12 May 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513081145/https://www.indiatimes.com/culture/who-we-are/wtf-mamata-banerjee-paintings-sold-for-9-crores-285240.html|archive-date=13 May 2018|url-status=live}} In 2012, Time magazine named her as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.{{cite magazine|title=Time 100: Mamata Banerjee, Populist|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2111975_2111976_2111984,00.html|magazine=Time|access-date=18 April 2012|date=18 April 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419073120/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0%2C28804%2C2111975_2111976_2111984%2C00.html|archive-date=19 April 2012}} Bloomberg Markets magazine listed her among the 50 most influential people in the world of finance in September 2012.{{cite news |url=http://zeenews.india.com/business/news/finance/mamata-banerjee-among-worlds-50-influential-leaders-in-finance_59747.html |title=Mamata Banerjee among world's 50 influential leaders in finance |website=Zeenews.india.com |access-date=16 October 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214095120/http://zeenews.india.com/business/news/finance/mamata-banerjee-among-worlds-50-influential-leaders-in-finance_59747.html |archive-date=14 December 2013 |date=6 September 2012 }} In 2018, she was conferred the Skoch Chief Minister of the Year Award.{{Cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/mamata-banerjee-is-the-skoch-chief-minister-of-the-year/articleshow/67178399.cms |title=Mamata Banerjee is the Skoch Chief Minister of the Year |website=The Economic Times |date=20 December 2018 |access-date=26 April 2019 |archive-date=6 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206080605/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/mamata-banerjee-is-the-skoch-chief-minister-of-the-year/articleshow/67178399.cms |url-status=live }} Banerjee stepped out into the streets of Kolkata during lockdown, caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, to spread awareness among the common people.{{Cite web|date=26 March 2020|title=Didi's lessons on social distancing: Mamata Banerjee takes to Kolkata streets to fight Covid19|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/didi-s-lessons-on-social-distancing-mamata-banerjee-takes-to-kolkata-streets-to-fight-covid19/story-oMNOulx2aPn1i2bbpjvwrO.html|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=14 November 2021|archive-date=14 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114165647/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/didi-s-lessons-on-social-distancing-mamata-banerjee-takes-to-kolkata-streets-to-fight-covid19/story-oMNOulx2aPn1i2bbpjvwrO.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=28 March 2020|title='Keep Shops Open, What Will People Eat?' Mamata Banerjee Takes to The Streets During Lockdown|url=https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/keep-shops-open-what-will-people-eat-mamata-banerjee-takes-to-the-streets-during-lockdown-2554567.html|work=News18|access-date=14 November 2021|archive-date=14 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114165647/https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/keep-shops-open-what-will-people-eat-mamata-banerjee-takes-to-the-streets-during-lockdown-2554567.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=23 April 2020|title=Mamata Banerjee Hits Kolkata Streets Again, Urges People To Stay Indoors|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/coronavirus-lockdown-west-bengal-chief-minister-mamata-banerjee-hits-kolkata-streets-again-urges-peo-2217243|work=NDTV|access-date=14 November 2021|archive-date=14 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114165647/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/coronavirus-lockdown-west-bengal-chief-minister-mamata-banerjee-hits-kolkata-streets-again-urges-peo-2217243|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=24 April 2020|title=Mamata hits the streets, speaks directly to locked-down Kolkata|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/mamata-hits-the-streets-speaks-directly-to-locked-down-kolkata-6376681/|work=The Indian Express|access-date=14 November 2021|archive-date=14 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114165649/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/mamata-hits-the-streets-speaks-directly-to-locked-down-kolkata-6376681/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=24 April 2020|title=Mamata Hits Streets of Kolkata to Address Citizens Amid Lockdown|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/west-bengal-news-coronavirus-mamata-banerjee-hits-kolkata-streets-talks-directly-to-citizens-to-maintain-lockdown|work=The Quint|access-date=14 November 2021|archive-date=14 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114165647/https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/west-bengal-news-coronavirus-mamata-banerjee-hits-kolkata-streets-talks-directly-to-citizens-to-maintain-lockdown|url-status=live}} While appealing for maintaining religious harmony, Banerjee has reiterated the fact on numerous occasions that "Religion is personal, but festivals are universal."{{Cite web|date=4 July 2019|title=Religion is personal, but festivals are universal says Mamata Banerjee|url=http://www.uniindia.com/religion-is-personal-but-festivals-are-universal-says-mamata-banerjee/east/news/1654080.html|work=United News of India|access-date=23 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023082359/http://www.uniindia.com/religion-is-personal-but-festivals-are-universal-says-mamata-banerjee/east/news/1654080.html|archive-date=23 October 2021|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=7 September 2021|title=Faith may be personal but festivals are universal: Mamata Banerjee on Durga puja celebrations|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/west-bengal-durga-puja-2021-cm-mamata-banerjee-faith-festivals-covid-rules-1850248-2021-09-07|work=India Today|access-date=23 October 2021|archive-date=23 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023000838/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/west-bengal-durga-puja-2021-cm-mamata-banerjee-faith-festivals-covid-rules-1850248-2021-09-07|url-status=live}}

She received an Honorary D.Litt in Literature from St. Xavier's University on 6 February 2023{{Cite web |date=6 February 2023 |title=West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee conferred honorary doctorate for contributions to literature and art |url=https://www.edexlive.com/news/2023/Feb/06/west-bengal-cm-mamata-banerjee-conferred-honorary-doctorate-for-contributions-to-literature-and-art-33766.html |website=EdexLive}} and another from Calcutta University on 12 January 2018.{{Cite web |date=11 January 2018 |title=Never gave up despite being hurt all my life, says emotional Mamata after accepting honorary doctorate |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/never-gave-up-despite-being-hurt-all-my-life-says-emotional-mamata-after-accepting-honorary-doctorate-1137459-2018-01-11 |website=India Today}}{{Cite web |date=11 January 2018 |title=Mamata Banerjee receives D Litt degree, says intolerance is rising in the country |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mamata-banerjee-to-receive-d-litt-degree-calcutta-hc-to-hear-pil-today-5020036/ |website=Indian Express}} She also received an honorary doctorate from the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, a Bhubaneshwar-based deemed university.{{Cite web |date=12 September 2018 |title=Odisha varsity to confer doctorate on Mamata |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Odisha-varsity-to-confer-doctorate-on-Mamata/articleshow/16443132.cms |website=Times of India}}

In 2021, Mamata Banerjee was invited to attend World Meeting for Peace in Rome.{{cite news|title=Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee invited to attend peace conference in Rome|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bengal-chief-minister-mamata-banerjee-invited-to-attend-peace-conference-at-rome-101628698080852.html|work=Hindustan Times|date=11 August 2021|access-date=26 September 2021|archive-date=25 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925192744/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bengal-chief-minister-mamata-banerjee-invited-to-attend-peace-conference-at-rome-101628698080852.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Mamata Banerjee invited to 'World Meeting for Peace' in Rome along with Pope, Angela Merkel|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mamata-banerjee-invited-to-world-meeting-for-peace-1839838-2021-08-12|work=India Today|date=12 August 2021|access-date=26 September 2021|archive-date=25 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925192743/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mamata-banerjee-invited-to-world-meeting-for-peace-1839838-2021-08-12|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Lack of vaccine acceptance a travel barrier: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/cm-lack-of-vax-acceptance-a-travel-barrier/articleshow/86052006.cms|work=The Times of India|date=9 September 2021|access-date=26 September 2021|archive-date=25 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925192739/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/cm-lack-of-vax-acceptance-a-travel-barrier/articleshow/86052006.cms|url-status=live}} She was the only Indian invited to attend the event. But in September, the Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) denied her permission to attend the peace conference stating that the event was not "commensurate in status for participation by the chief minister of a state".{{cite news|title=Centre denies permission to Mamata for trip to Rome next month|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/centre-denies-permission-to-mamata-for-trip-to-rome-next-month-101632573497938.html|work=Hindustan Times|date=25 September 2021|access-date=26 September 2021|archive-date=25 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925195844/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/centre-denies-permission-to-mamata-for-trip-to-rome-next-month-101632573497938.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Centre Denies Mamata Banerjee Permission To Attend Peace Conference in Rome|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/west-bengal-news-mamata-banerjee-says-centre-denied-her-permission-to-attend-peace-conference-in-rome|work=The Quint|date=25 September 2021|access-date=26 September 2021|archive-date=25 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925195845/https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/west-bengal-news-mamata-banerjee-says-centre-denied-her-permission-to-attend-peace-conference-in-rome|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Centre Didn't Let Me Go To Rome Peace Meet Out Of "Jealousy": Mamata Banerjee|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/centre-did-not-let-me-to-go-to-rome-global-peace-meet-out-of-jealousy-mamata-2553629|work=NDTV|date=25 September 2021|access-date=26 September 2021|archive-date=25 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925200631/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/centre-did-not-let-me-to-go-to-rome-global-peace-meet-out-of-jealousy-mamata-2553629|url-status=live}} BJP MP Subramanian Swamy slammed Modi government on Banerjee's Rome visit cancelation.{{cite news|title=Modi should permit Mamata to travel to Rome: Subramanian Swamy|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2021/09/26/modi-should-permit-mamata-to-travel-to-rome-subramanian-swamy.html|work=The Week|date=26 September 2021|access-date=27 September 2021|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927015445/https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2021/09/26/modi-should-permit-mamata-to-travel-to-rome-subramanian-swamy.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=কোন আইনে মমতাকে রোম যেতে বাধা দেওয়া হল? কেন্দ্রের ভূমিকা নিয়ে প্রশ্ন বিজেপি সাংসদের|url=https://www.sangbadpratidin.in/india/subramanian-swamy-questions-centres-move-to-stop-mamata-banerjees-italy-tour/|language=bn|work=Sangbad Pratidin|date=26 September 2021|access-date=27 September 2021|archive-date=26 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926211727/https://www.sangbadpratidin.in/india/subramanian-swamy-questions-centres-move-to-stop-mamata-banerjees-italy-tour/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Subramanian Swamy: 'কোন আইনে Mamata-র রোম সফর বাতিল', কেন্দ্রকে তোপ BJP সাংসদের|url=https://zeenews.india.com/bengali/nation/subramanian-swamy-slams-narendra-modi-govt-on-mamata-banerjees-rome-visit-cancelation_406330.html|language=bn|work=Zee 24 Ghanta|date=26 September 2021|access-date=27 September 2021|archive-date=26 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926211711/https://zeenews.india.com/bengali/nation/subramanian-swamy-slams-narendra-modi-govt-on-mamata-banerjees-rome-visit-cancelation_406330.html|url-status=live}} According to Indian Diplomat K. P. Fabian, the reason cited by MEA was unconvincing.{{cite news|title=Italian organisation that invited Mamata highly prestigious: ex-envoy|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/italian-organisation-that-invited-mamata-highly-prestigious-ex-envoy/article36684864.ece|work=The Hindu|date=26 September 2021|access-date=27 September 2021|archive-date=26 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926180130/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/italian-organisation-that-invited-mamata-highly-prestigious-ex-envoy/article36684864.ece|url-status=live}} Similarly, in December, Banerjee was denied permission by the MEA to visit Nepal.{{cite news|title='Vindictive,' cries TMC as Centre bars Mamata Banerjee from visiting Nepal|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/vindictive-cries-tmc-as-centre-bars-mamata-banerjee-from-visiting-nepal-101639159824014.html|work=Hindustan Times|date=10 December 2021|access-date=11 December 2021|archive-date=10 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210181616/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/vindictive-cries-tmc-as-centre-bars-mamata-banerjee-from-visiting-nepal-101639159824014.html|url-status=live}}

TIME magazine published its annual list of 'The 100 Most Influential People of 2021' on 15 September 2021. The list includes Mamata Banerjee among others.{{cite news|last=Dutt|first=Barkha|date=15 September 2021|title=The 100 Most Influential People of 2021. Mamata Banerjee.|magazine=TIME|url=https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2021/6096016/mamata-banerjee/|access-date=16 September 2021|archive-date=15 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915212047/https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2021/6096016/mamata-banerjee/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|date=15 September 2021|title=PM Modi, Mamata Banerjee Among TIME's 100 Most Influential People|website=NDTV|agency=PTI|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pm-modi-mamata-and-adar-poonawalla-among-time-magazines-100-most-influential-people-of-2021-2542154|access-date=16 September 2021|archive-date=15 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915234109/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pm-modi-mamata-and-adar-poonawalla-among-time-magazines-100-most-influential-people-of-2021-2542154|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=16 September 2021|title=বিশ্বের ১০০ প্রভাবশালীর তালিকায় মমতা, তীব্র সমালোচনা মোদির নামে|language=bn|trans-title=Mamata in the list of 100 most influential people in the world, sharp criticism of Modi|newspaper=Bartaman|url=https://bartamanpatrika.com/detailNews.php?cID=14&nID=319131&P=1&nPID=20210916|access-date=16 September 2021|archive-date=16 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916173559/https://bartamanpatrika.com/detailNews.php?cID=14&nID=319131&P=1&nPID=20210916|url-status=live}}

Baghini, a Bengali film, inspired by Mamata Banerjee's life, was released on 24 May 2019. It is not a biopic.{{Cite web|last=Ghosh|first=Devarsi|date=15 April 2019|title='Baghini: Bengal Tigress' is inspired by Mamata Banerjee but is not a biopic, filmmakers say|url=https://scroll.in/reel/919749/baghini-bengal-tigress-is-inspired-by-mamata-banerjee-but-is-not-a-biopic-filmmakers-say|access-date=9 December 2021|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US|archive-date=9 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209051427/https://scroll.in/reel/919749/baghini-bengal-tigress-is-inspired-by-mamata-banerjee-but-is-not-a-biopic-filmmakers-say|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Itengar|first=Shriram|date=15 April 2019|title=After Narendra Modi, Baghini: Bengal Tigress evokes Mamata Banerjee|url=https://www.cinestaan.com/articles/2019/apr/15/20107/after-narendra-modi-baghini-bengal-tigress-evokes-mamata-banerjee|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415193949/https://www.cinestaan.com/articles/2019/apr/15/20107/after-narendra-modi-baghini-bengal-tigress-evokes-mamata-banerjee|archive-date=15 April 2019|access-date=16 April 2019|publisher=Cinestaan}}

File:Mamata Banerjee at 43rd International Kolkata Book Fair.jpg with her books in hand]]

Numerous books written by her have been published so far. In 2022, she was given Paschimbanga Akademy Award for 'Kabita Bitan' which consists of 946 poems.{{Cite news |title=সাহিত্য চর্চায় নিরলস সাধনার জন্য বাংলা আকাদেমির বিশেষ পুরস্কার পেলেন মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায় |url=https://bengali.abplive.com/district/mamata-banerjee-chief-minister-of-west-bengal-mamata-banerjee-gets-bangla-academy-award-for-literary-contribution-887048 |access-date=11 May 2022 |work=ABP Ananda |date=9 May 2022 |language=bn}}

She is also a self-taught painter.{{cite news |title=Mamata Banerjee, chief minister, painter and fighter, faces tough polls |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/elections/writer-painter-fighter-mamata-banerjee-faces-major-political-challenge-121040100095_1.html |access-date=20 May 2022 |work=Business Standard India |date=1 April 2021 |archive-date=20 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520164813/https://www.business-standard.com/article/elections/writer-painter-fighter-mamata-banerjee-faces-major-political-challenge-121040100095_1.html |url-status=live }} Her paintings have also been auctioned several times.{{Cite news |date=14 April 2015 |title=WTF: Mamata Banerjee Paintings Sold For 9 Crores |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/culture/who-we-are/wtf-mamata-banerjee-paintings-sold-for-9-crores-285240.html |access-date=20 May 2022 |work=IndiaTimes |archive-date=13 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513081145/https://www.indiatimes.com/culture/who-we-are/wtf-mamata-banerjee-paintings-sold-for-9-crores-285240.html |url-status=dead }}

She is also a lyricist and her compositions are mostly based on 'Durga Puja' and 'Motherland'. 'Maa Go Tumi Sarbojanin' sung by Shreya Ghoshal is one of her most popular songs.{{Cite web |last=Prakashan |first=Priya |date=14 October 2015 |title=Durga Puja 2015: Mamata Banerjee pens Maa Go Tumi Sarbojonin on the auspicious occasion of the Navratri {{!}} India.com |url=https://www.india.com/viral/durga-puja-2015-mamata-banerjee-pens-maa-go-tumi-sarbojonin-on-the-auspicious-occasion-of-the-navratri-629627/ |access-date=11 May 2022 |website=India.com |archive-date=10 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610060145/https://www.india.com/viral/durga-puja-2015-mamata-banerjee-pens-maa-go-tumi-sarbojonin-on-the-auspicious-occasion-of-the-navratri-629627/ |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Electoral history of Mamata Banerjee}}

• Ma Mati Manush
• Ambikesh Mahapatra

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

;Books

• {{Cite book|last=Paul|first=Shutapa|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G_V5DwAAQBAJ|title=Didi: The Untold Mamata Banerjee|date=2018|publisher=Penguin Random House India|isbn=978-93-5305-360-4|language=en}}
• {{Cite book|last=Gupta|first=Monobina|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VcfjAAAAQBAJ|title=Didi|date=2012|publisher=Harper Collins|isbn=978-93-5116-044-1|language=en}}
• {{Cite book|last=Nielsen|first=Kenneth Bo|url=https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/29645/indias-democracies.pdf?sequence=1#page=101|title=India's Democracies|publisher=Scandinavian University Press (Universitetsforlaget)|year=2016|isbn=978-82-15-02689-3|editor-last=Ruud|editor-first=Arild Engelsen|pages=101–130|chapter=5. Mamata Banerjee. Redefining Female Leadership|editor-last2=Heierstad|editor-first2=Geir}}
• {{Cite book|last=Mitra|first=Dola|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Rei6oQEACAAJ|title=Decoding Didi: Making Sense of Mamata Banerjee|date=2014|publisher=Rupa|isbn=978-81-291-3267-3|language=en}}

;Journals

• {{Cite journal|last=Kariwal|first=Yash|date=January–March 2019|title=Role of Print Media in the Construction of a Political Image of Mamata Banerjee: A Content Analysis of News Coverage in The Telegraph Newspaper|url=http://ijrar.com/upload_issue/ijrar_issue_20543201.pdf|journal=International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews|volume=6|issue=1|issn=2349-5138|eissn=2348-1269}}

{{Subject bar

|commons = yes

|d = yes

|q = yes

|portal1 = Biography

|portal2 = Politics

|portal3 = India

}}

• {{Twitter|MamataOfficial}}
• [https://wb.gov.in/portal/web/guest/meet-the-chief-minister Official website (Chief Minister's office)]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20150811034532/http://aitcofficial.org/biography/ Official page on Trinamool Congress Party's website]
• [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13297763 Profile] at BBC News

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