West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's assertion, within hours of Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi announcing fare increase in his rail budget speech on Wednesday, that “we will not allow this hike” has proved yet again that when one is in the Trinamool Congress, one should do what she asks one to do.
Speculation of a possible rollback or even Mr. Trivedi's resignation over the issue continued through the day, but this is not the first occasion that a senior Trinamool leader has drawn Ms. Banerjee's ire for expressing a contrarian view.
For someone who is known to call the shots on all matters, most observers find it difficult to believe Ms. Banerjee's claim that she was not aware of the proposed hike, though Mr. Trivedi concurred with her at least on this count.
Whether or not Ms. Banerjee was informed of the fare hike before it was announced, Mr. Trivedi's comment that his efforts were directed at “pulling out Indian Railways from the ICU” can only be perceived as an attack on the performance of his predecessor, Ms. Banerjee herself.
That everything in the Trinamool revolves around Ms. Banerjee was evident even in Leader of the Parliamentary Party Sudip Bandopadhyay's criticism of his colleague's decision on fare hike.
Mr. Bandopadhyay's emphasis that “Mamata Banerjee is the closest ally of the poor” while arguing the party line on the matter is quite reminiscent of a recent observation by Surya Kanta Mishra, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, on the ways of the Trinamool leadership.
“This is a one-person government…Others are immaterial as they do not know when their wings will be clipped,” Dr. Mishra said.
The Sword of Damocles seems to be hanging over every leader of the Trinamool and the attitude of toeing the line Ms. Banerjee has taken is reflected within the rank and file. But what awaits Sultan Ahmed, Union Minister of State for Tourism, for having initially endorsed the fare hike as “necessary” is open to question.
State Education Minister Bratya Basu has already faced the music for his remark that “just as one has the right to work [when a strike is called], one also has the right not to come to work” in contradiction of Ms. Banerjee's diktat that all employees would have to report for duty on the day of the all-India strike called by 11 registered trade unions on February 28.
Anxious to avoid a similar gaffe, Partha Chatterjee, secretary-general, merely said “can all questions be answered” when he was quizzed by journalists on the Chief Minister's comments on the alleged rape of a 37-year-old woman. Ms. Banerjee claimed that the rape was “staged,” but she was proved wrong when the police made arrests in connection with the case.
Meanwhile, Trinamool MP Kabir Suman, infamous for his frequent remarks which are not in line with Ms. Banerjee's stated stand, has already been dismissed by her “as a guest of the party.”
While those within the party would never dare her, Ms. Banerjee's attitude has been described as “dictatorial” by representatives of the Congress in her Council of Ministers, which, they said, precipitated the resignation of Manoj Chakraborty.
Keywords: Railway Budget 2012, Dinesh Trivedi, Mamata Banerjee, passenger fare hike, Trinamool Congress
dinesh trivedi has done excellent jobs for the sake of railways by hiking fares a little. during travel people spends a lot of money on foods,magazine, so can't we pay some more fare which will be used for improving security system of indian railways.the operational cost of indian railway is very high. time has come to reduce the operational costs by hiking fares, otherwise railways will face the similar situation as air india is facing now.all political parties must praise mr. dinesh trivedi for his bold decision to hike fares. UPA should convince mamata banarjee to stop blaming trivedi for hikes. In fact govt. should praise rail budget and try to defend it even at the cost of trinamool going outside the coalition. UPA can take support of samajwadi party if trinamool insists on rollback in fare hikes proposed in rail budget.
Considering economically backward people travel in about 500 kms circle, the hike is only Rs.10. Infact many times, people travel by bus this distance due to convenience of time and availability of trains. And the bus fare are way above the train fares. Even for IstA/C, it is Rs.150 which he spends easily for Tatkal tickets.
Taking into account the inflation over 10years, how can they even pay the wages for railway employees with similar funds. Doesn't increasing freight charges affect inflation and common man? DONT understand the hue and cry for this price rise which could benefit better train services.
Amazing cartoon .. summarizes the plight of India well..
Great that Telugus are very much influenced by Bengali literature, Bengali Reformers for a long time and not vice versa.Post independent India's Bengal has changed a lot, to worse. Otherwise how cannot Marxists deliver goods to ordinary folks after a long rule. And now they have elected Mamata with little thought without realizing the value of their vote. People should suffer for their incorrect actions.
As if in Congress or NCP or SAD or SP or DMK or AIADMK, the Supreme Leader's views are not the final and the only word!!! it is only in TMC that organisational discipline is seen as reprehensible, when the real issue is the totally regressive and short-term thinking of Mamata. Her megalomania and insecurity just make her look more dictatorial than other parties' bosses.
First of all I salute Mamataji for her bold step againt the activities
of Tribediji. I read from the Pioneer that he said "Railway does not
operate from the Writers Building. I did what is best for Railways. I
have done my duty.I do not care about the job. Bhagat Singh gave up
his life for the country". I do not konw if he actually says this. If
it is true, he is the first person who will desert her mother after
marrying a beautiful girl. For example, he is a Minister of UPA and
under influence of Pranabji. How he forgotten that it is the TMC
(Writers Building WB ) who made him MP and then Minister. How he dare
to compare with Bhagat Singh. He said that Railways was in ICU and he
is now taken steps to bring it out from ICU. In other words, he says
that at the time of Mamataji, the Railways was in ICU. I condemn his
statement, hope all people of West Bengal who loves Mamataji condemn
his role. When he has consulted Pranabji,how he forgottento consult
Mamataji, who is his menter.
We say that India is a democratic country and it should be run as per democratic ideologies.
But when it comes to parties, National or Regional, there is no democracy at all within the parties. We have a system of having a Supremo running the party. For TMC it is Didi, for Congress it is Sonia, for BSP it is Mayawati, Jaylatitha, Mulayam etc.
Do the elected or other member of a party have any say or authority to contribute in decision making? They are simply follower of their potical Mom and Dad.
Indian politics is still it its infancy. Most of MPs and MLAs are kid to their political Mom and Dad and we will keep on having this kind of childish behaviour less these parties get mature.
Too much noise by Mamta will be seen her as pro-poor (eternal poor) by her citizens. It will help her image. While Trivedi will enjoy his position. All is drama.
What Mamta did looks like a political drama to maintain her image of
"people friendly party" by sacking her own party member. We would come
to know if this is true in the next couple of days.
Dictators usually don't make good leaders. To the Railways budget, the
hike(which is minimal) is the only way forward. Kudos to Mr.Trivedi!
This Railway budget has really got some good developments. I dont know why few people wanted to create problems for hiking fare. It's been 10 years that they haven't hiked the prices. People must understand and they should allow this to happen. People demands are always high but they dont want to hike the prices. Still none of the govenment were not able to open the people eyes of accepting things for a good cause.
This Railway budget has really got some good developments. I dont know why few people wanted to create problems for hiking fare. It's been 10 years that they haven't hiked the prices. People must understand and they should allow this to happen. People demands are always high but they dont want to hike the prices. Still none of the govenment were not able to open the people eyes of accepting things for a good cause.
This is a defect in the Constitution. There is no clear separation of power between Legislative and Executive branches. People elect MPs for the Legislative; but we move them into Executive branch as Ministers. Instead of Ministers, let Manmohan have IAS & other civil service officers as Secretaries. Replace Ministers with Civil Service Executives.
There is no point in criticizing the system.
Our country believes in democracy, so should be the political parties.
In my opinion it is high-time that ministers handle reforms professionally as Mr.Trivedi did. It is not fair to be populist for gaining votes. Leaders should act with some foresight.
After all people get the government the deserve...
Near future we can see the statues of Mamatha in every nook & corner of bengal.She is trying to follow the footsteps of UP CM, sorry ex CM
There is no safety for the Trinamool Ministers either at Centre & at
the State Govt. Mamata, Jayalalitha are in the same line and they
should see the writing on the wall how Mayavathi was dethroned for her
autocratic rule.In a democracy should the ministers bow to the Chief
Minsiter always and cannot express their views in this case Indian
Railways not in a better position to improve the basic services to
the travelling public because the fares not revised for a decade. In
the name of Aam Aadmi she is deriding welfare measures announced by
Railway Minister in the Budget.
Thanks to Surendra for amply depicting the way of behaviour of Ms. Banerjee. Ms. Banerjee will never permit any body in the domain of her activity to dominate with any view,be it guided by national interest or be it guided by shrewd administrative efficiency to set the ball rolling. Mr. Triedi is not unaware of the temperament of Ms. Banerjee when he dared to say that Rail Way matters are not managed from the writers building in Kolkatta. This is a good symptom in the party of Trinamool Congress to open the eyes of its unquestionable leader that it ia better for her to learn the lessons of democracy first before acting as a dectator. Mr. Triveni may loose his job, but Indian democracy will gain more.
Good Cartoon and also it shows the fact how Indian Govt is working on various matters across various issues.
Though the price hike is accpeted by common citizen mostly which we can see in the various comments releated to articles on Railway Budget, I feel the "ego" of TMC leader is getting reflected over here in this issue and its not a good for an able to leader to exbit such a character.
May be govt can consider to revise the hike but the roll back of complete hike will affect the performance of the Railway system in India and it can never be compared to world class though having under ground or over head track system.
It would be wise for the Govt to consider this issue carefully and do the needful which will be appreciated by the public and not by one or two political leaders in the country.
Good Luck to PM & Govt. of Inda.
This is the Problem with the Indian system. When someone tries to improve the condition of an ailing organization, some how others derail the idea calling it as burden on "Aam aadmi" with political motives in mind.
Many "strong" regional leaders in India have this dictatorial streak in them. They do not tolerate dissent, treat their Ministers with scant respect and are whimsical. Jayalalithaa is another leader, who conducts her politics in a similar manner ; in less than a year after coming to power , she has sacked her own Ministers two or three times - for reasons best known only to her.
I'm a great fan of Surendra's cartoon. This is one among the best I have seen.
The cartoon by Surendra itself thoroughly exposed the 'own safety' of poor and efficient Raiway Minister Mr.Dinesh Trivedi.
There is nothing wrong in Ms.Banerjee's purported stand as chief of her party.Mr.Dinesh Trivedi is answerle to Trinamool Chief.He is not an Independant M.P.He should have consulted his party chief.
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