Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: Mamata Banerjee is known for being a seasoned politician who knows when to make strategic moves. Her final weapon often involves playing the victim card, which she uses to turn situations in her favour, even in adverse conditions. This is why her offer to resign is being seen by many as a political manoeuvre. The biggest question now is why Mamata is offering her resignation instead of holding the Kolkata Police Commissioner accountable.
Protests Over Justice for Victim in Kolkata Rape-Murder Case
The brutal rape and murder of a woman doctor in Kolkata has sparked widespread protests, with junior doctors leading the charge, demanding justice. The Bengal government’s attempt to cover up the case has led to significant public discontent against Mamata Banerjee. However, as an experienced politician, she is well-versed in turning a losing battle in her favour.
Strategic Moves by Mamata Banerjee in the Ongoing Protests
First, Mamata showed willingness to meet the protesting doctors, then made them wait for two hours during the meeting, and finally, floated the idea of her resignation. All of these actions appear to be part of a larger strategy. In a press conference, Mamata apologized to the people of Kolkata and expressed her desire for justice for the victim, even offering to step down for the sake of the public. Before her statement, a video was circulated showing her waiting for the delegation of junior doctors in a room full of empty chairs.
Mamata Plays the Sympathy Card
Amid ongoing protests by doctors demanding justice, Mamata Banerjee has used the situation to garner sympathy from the public. The meeting between Mamata and the junior doctors was scheduled for Thursday but didn’t happen. Mamata created the impression that she waited for the doctors for two hours, but they never showed up. A video of her waiting in an empty room went viral. This shift in narrative led the public to blame the doctors, with government officials stating that the doctors insisted on live-streaming the meeting, which led to its cancellation. Mamata cited that since the case is in court, live streaming wasn’t permissible.
Painting the Doctors as Villains in the Public Eye
The government provided several reasons to frame the doctors as the antagonists in the eyes of the public. It was reported that the doctors were invited for the meeting three times, and that the government had agreed to their meeting with Mamata. Initially, only 15 doctors were allowed, but later permission was extended to 32 doctors. However, their insistence on live-streaming caused the meeting to fall through.
Mamata Plays Her Final “Victim Card”
Those familiar with Mamata Banerjee know that she uses the victim card as her trump card when all other strategies seem to fail. She has done this in previous political scenarios, such as during the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when she claimed that Narendra Modi’s government was targeting her and misusing agencies against her.
Why Did Mamata Resort to Her Ultimate Move?
In the Kolkata rape-murder case, things have slipped out of Mamata Banerjee’s control. Neither the protests are subsiding, nor is public outrage against her diminishing. The protests are intensifying, and the flames of opposition against her are growing stronger. Mamata has faced accusations of cover-ups in several cases before but managed to handle them with her political expertise. Allegations of corruption in coal mining involving her nephew, scams by party workers, and the teacher recruitment scandal that led to a minister’s arrest were all dealt with swiftly by Mamata, maintaining her grip on power.
However, the Kolkata rape-murder case is proving difficult for her to manage. She seems to be at a loss for how to calm the situation, and discontent is even growing within her party cadre. Some TMC leaders are now openly opposing her. In this scenario, Mamata had no option but to play her ultimate card. By doing so, she may also succeed in protecting her favoured police commissioner.
