Dear Mamata didi,

I have been your diehard fan since childhood. But now you are misguiding me. Jokes apart, I hardly had any feelings about you till you drove the Tata nano factory out of Singur. I do not know what people were thinking when they voted for you. I know, I know. They wanted an alternative to the corrupt and politicised CPI (M) government and you, sadly, were the only alternative they had. How could they be so blind so as not to see that you were further destroying the prospects of Bengal?

Your administration is no less corrupt or politicised. But you cannot be a totally bad person right? I agree. Your reign as chief minister of West Bengal did bring peace in Jangalmahal and North Bengal. I was also very impressed by the new and developed James Prinsep ghat on the banks of the Ganges. You are trying, I agree. But it isn’t good enough.

Like a friend says, “In the corridors of college hostel, whenever, your friends unnecessarily hassle you often the reply is ‘Danda mat kar’. Use of a metaphor is never bad in political discourse, only if it isn't as crass as this one”.

But Didi, for want of a contemporary example let us consider 'Bapu'. Even Mahatma Gandhi was a leader of the masses. Why can’t you emulate him? Do you need to get all impulsive and use such crass language? I had to hear quite a few jeers for your ‘bamboo on the backside’ remark. Don’t you have the slightest consideration for our reputation? Have some sympathy for us hapless 'Bangali' men and women who are working everywhere but in West Bengal (no industry, no jobs).

Please have some restraint for our sake. You are very passionate in your action and speech. I respect that. Be passionate but sober. You not only represent a state but also its people. I am sure that the bhadralok intelligentsia who rooted for you once are now banging their heads against the wall in a dark corner of some room. For them, it is a lesson learnt.

For us, it is misfortune after misfortune.

Yours faithfully,
A Bangali woman trying to hide her face