Mamata embraces 'maati', 'manush'

Immediately after taking oath at the Raj Bhavan, Mamata Banerjee walked to Writers Buildings, despite the presence of a large crowd along the route. Banerjee has also refused a bullet-proof car, besides preferring to follow general traffic signals instead of opting for a ‘green corridor’, much to the discomfort of police.

In her first stint as the chief minister, Banerjee is relentlessly trying to project a ‘people’s chief minister’ image.

Surprise visits to two government hospitals have already been undertaken, while duties of officials are being redefined.

Broadly, the first seven days of the Mamata government went into making careful announcements, most of which were promised in her party’s manifesto.

Banerjee’s first announcement after holding her Cabinet’s first meeting was to return 400 acres of Singur land acquired for the Tata small car project to unwilling farmers. However, the modalities are still unclear.

Justice Rajinder Sachar's findings, highlighting the fact that Muslims in Bengal are worse off than their counterparts elsewhere in the country, had come handy for anti-Left forces in splitting and swinging Muslim votes in the last Assembly elections. Banerjee’s second announcement was to consider Sachar’s findings and make special provisions for Muslims in the state.

The first two decisions clearly indicate that the Trinamool Congress has the voter on its mind, even if it means making adjustments elsewhere.

Second to voters, Banerjee’s focus is on the law and order situation. The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM)-led statehood agitation in the hills and Naxalite-led assault in south-western Bengal are issues Banerjee promises to tackle. The GJM leadership made a 'courtesy call' on Thursday and met the chief minister. Meanwhile, Banerjee's administration will prepare a special package for the Naxal-infested south-western districts.

Seizure and recovery of illegal arms has continued over the week. Banerjee has also ordered a probe into alleged illegal phone-tapping of leaders and important people from different walks of life, a point that she had raised repeatedly during her election campaign.

Easing communication problems for people, Banerjee has announced that Urdu, Hindi, Nepali, Oriya, Santhali and Gurmukhi languages could also be used for communication wherever possible.