Kolkata: “We’ve just come to catch a glimpse of our daughter,” says Sunil Yadav, a jute mill worker from Jagaddal in the North 24 Parganas. The jute mill where Yadav used to work has closed down. The man in his mid-sixties has been patiently waiting for hours to see her.From neighbouring Hooghly, a daily-wage-earner buys two roses for his children to present to her as she crosses the area during her statewide long march.In Murshidabad, a woman from the minority community hands a Rs 50 note to her, saying, “Have some sweets, girl. You have been walking for so long.”In the outskirts of Kolkata, gig workers halt their scooters to get a selfie with her.“She is our captain. We have come here for her,” declares a group of youth who have come from West Medinipur, eager to spend the night under the skies, in the Brigade ground of Kolkata.Thirty-nine-year-old Minakshi Mukherjee is popular. She is the state secretary of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of the CPI(M). In her, the struggling CPI(M) in West Bengal might have finally found a mass leader. Mukherjee had been active at the Left Front’s grand Brigade rally, marking the culmination of the party’s 50-day-long march across the state in pursuit of justice. From the stage, when she asked the crowd to gather at the centre of the ground, cheers came as response. Photo: X/@SDey83In her 22-minute speech, Mukherjee cut a strong figure, highlighting critical issues such as unemployment, education, healthcare, and corruption, all intertwined with the realities of politics. This was in stark contrast to the Gita chanting event hosted under the Bharatiya Janata Party’s auspices, at the same location, exactly two weeks ago. Taking a jibe at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s “khela hobe” (game on) slogan coined before the intense 2021 assembly elections, Mukherjee said, “We are prepared to seize control of the field you’ve marked for a game.” Key among her moves was the effortless switching between Bengali and Hindi, showcasing a fluency in both languages that set her apart from the more traditional Bengali ‘bhadrolok‘ leaders associated with the Bengal Left. Towards the end of her speech, she stumbled as she quoted a line from a poem by Kazi Nazrul Islam. Unfazed, she confessed to forgetting the rest. The crowd loved it.हम देखेंगे, हम देखेंगे,लाज़िम है कि हम भी देखेंगे#WorkerFarmerRally pic.twitter.com/oNoyBFj9jy— Minakshi Mukherjee (@MinakshiMukher8) April 5, 2023Politics at play“She is a rising star in West Bengal politics, however, as of now, she adheres to a particular political stance. At this juncture, it resembles more of a political movement than a widespread movement for public interest, which holds far-reaching implications,” said political analyst Biswanath Chakraborty. Born in the industrial town of Kulti, Mukherjee first gained prominence when the CPI(M) selected her as a candidate for the high-profile Nandigram constituency against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the 2021 assembly election. She failed to secure her deposit, but her straightforward communication drew attention from the audience.This time, throughout the Insaaf Yatra and on the day of the Brigade rally, the notable participation of women and the marginalised sections was visible.The minority community, traditionally aligned with the left, began shifting towards the Trinamool Congress in the mid-2000s, spurred by events like the Nandigram agitation and the death of Kolkata youth Rizwanur Rahman, allegedly at the hands of his girlfriend’s industrialist family. According to CSDS data, the Trinamool Congress secured 51% of Muslim votes in the 2016 assembly elections, 70% in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, and 75% in 2021.Also read: Ground Report | CPI(M) Has Been a Major Force Behind BJP’s Mainstreaming in West BengalHowever, starting in 2022, a series of incidents targeting minorities, including the death of student-activist Anis Khan and the Bogtui massacre, coupled with Mamata Banerjee’s emphasis on her Hindu credentials, appear to have created a sense of alienation among a segment of Muslims towards the TMC. In the 2023 Panchayat election, the Left, Congress, and Naushad Siddiqui-led Indian Secular Front saw an upsurge in support in numerous minority-dominated areas in North 24 Parganas, Nadia, Murshidabad, and Malda compared to 2021.Mukherjee was at the forefront of the protest against the alleged killing of Anis Khan and spent a few days in custody. The image of her defiant stance against policemen was circulated on social media. A collage purporting to show Minakshi Mukherjee (in peach clothes) facing off against police. Photo: XAt the Brigade rally, Mukherjee escorted Anis Khan’s elderly father to a seat on the dais. She highlighted Arjuna Bibi from Purba Medinipur, who had allegedly faced police torture in custody for protesting against corruption in the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Also in focus were state victims of alleged political violence, Rajibul Islam, Moidul Middya, and Salku Soren.“She has addressed close to 300 rallies in the last two months. Every speech was different. In North Bengal, she talked about tea plantation workers, in Murshidabad, she touched upon migrant workers and education and in the Kolkata suburbs, she highlighted issues with public transport,” said a Bengali media journalist who has been tracking her. During the summer of 2023, West Bengal witnessed the buzz of TMC’s heir apparent Abhishek Banerjee’s state-wide Jono Sanjog Yatra – ‘a walk to connect people’. The opulence of the mega event managed by a political consultancy firm stood in sharp contrast to the simplicity observed during the Insaaf Yatra.Not all is rosy, though.Political analysts highlight the formidable challenge that lies ahead for the CPI(M) in West Bengal. Having been out of power for over 13 years, the party is now contending for public attention with two of the wealthiest parties in the country, each equipped with dedicated professional teams managing digital and on-ground campaigns and perceptions.While the growing popularity of Mukherjee might assist the party in shedding its old baggage, the primary challenge lies in translating this enthusiasm into actual votes. Her rising popularity indicates a positive shift for the CPI(M), envisioning a revival of its once-strong organisation through youth engagement. Over 50 activists covered the entire 2,900-km distance, supported by a dedicated team of around 15 digital media enthusiasts who captured and shared moments on social media platforms from across the state.The symbolic passing of the baton to the next generation was evident at the Brigade ground. Despite the presence of all prominent leaders of the CPI(M) in the state, they chose to sit among the audience, allowing Mukherjee and her comrades to take the spotlight.For the Bengal CPI(M), often criticised upholding a stronghold of old guards and male dominance within the party hierarchy, the transformation signifies a willingness to change. With the tricolour fluttering beside the stage, Mukherjee concluded the rally by reciting the Preamble of the Indian constitution.“Our battle is for a comeback. We understand it’s not a T20 match; it’s a Test match. But sometimes, a player is sent in to change the complexion of the game, just like Mohammed Siraj turned the tables in the recent test match against South Africa.”
