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Trivedi slams Mamata, says no real parivartan in Bengal
"The Mamata Banerjee government has failed to usher in any real parivartan (change) in West Bengal... politics has degenerated into chamchagiri (sycophancy)."
"The Mamata Banerjee government has failed to usher in any real parivartan (change) in West Bengal... politics has degenerated into chamchagiri (sycophancy)."
Ex-railway minister Dinesh Trivedi spoke his mind at last, but at the most unlikely of forums — a discussion with students of Kolkata's three elite colleges. But where his former party chief, Banerjee, received brickbats in a similar situation two months ago, Trivedi was a hit.
It was understandable, given the fact that asked an uncomfortable question by a student, the Trinamool chief had branded her a Maoist and marched off in a huff. Trivedi, the main speaker at a discussion on the role of youth in governance and politics, pulled no punches.
"Nowadays you have to be either mediocre, or a chamcha or corrupt to make it big in politics," he said. "If you take a stand, you are sidelined. No actual parivartan has occurred in the state."
The participants of Saturday's show — students from St Xavier's College, Lady Brabourne College and the National University of Jurisdical Sciences — gave him full marks for candour. "I am proud that Trivedi took a stand , and he had the guts to stick to it despite his party's disapproval," said Subhashree Sil, a student of St. Xavier's.
When a Lady Brabourne professor said," Nowadays I fear to speak out as I might lose my job," Trivedi quipped, "Don't worry, I have lost mine too."
He followed it up with some more jibes at the establishment.
"There is no functioning democracy. Political institutions have fallen flat. The police work for the ruling party. The moment you question, you are branded a Maoist, or an opposition-sponsored voice," he added, with students nodding approval.
In the free-flowing hour-long session, Trivedi supported issues opposed by Banerjee —FDI in retail and the proposed railway fare hike.
The former minister had run headlong into Banerjee's avowed principle of railway passenger fare freeze by proposing a 10% hike in the 2012-13 budget. He was forced to quit, despite support from many quarters, including the PM.
