New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday projected herself as spearhead for a third front by giving call for a joint march by all Opposition political parties here on Tuesday to protest against the Centre’s demonetisation of Rs 500 and 1000 notes.
Political observers felt Banerjee’s strategy to take the charge carries great risk as those opposing the demonetising drive could be accused of defending the indefensible: the perpetuation of black money.
Apart from this, Banerjee is still fighting to shed taints from Narada and Saradha scams, which has marred her party’s image in recent years
In her attempt to build her broad coalition, she has even reached out to arch rival, the left parties.
Sources in the Trinamool Congress say it was a calculated risk which Banerjee is willing to take. As she watched Mulayam Singh Yadav sharing stage with several opposition leaders, Banerjee realised she needed to act fast and position herself as an opposition front as well.
She said in a tweet last week, “May I appeal to all political parties in the Opposition to work together boldly against the anti-poor govt at the Centre. Let us fight this political and financial anarchy. We will be with you all.”
The demonetisation offered her the perfect opportunity as Parliament session is all set to begin. Banerjee wants to take the lead in this front and use the combined protest to muster a front.
But the PM has asked for 50 days and many are willing to wait if it ends up cleaning the system and pump legitimate money into the economy. It's clear that the BJP has dug its heels in and will fight the opposition might full on.
For Banerjee, this is another opportunity to assert her power. Despite the lukewarm response from the Left, she is in no mood to back down. Her party colleague Derek O’ Brien tweeted, "This is a joint movement on behalf of the people. We will not allow CPI (M) to play dirty politics over this.”
The move carries political risk for the opposition as public memory is short and people may soon forget if it indeed helps the economy tomorrow. Also parties who are preparing to march have been facing corruption allegations like the DMK and NCP, apart from the TMC. If the march doesn't muster the numbers, it will be yet a snub for Banerjee.
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