Mamata Banerjee

Mamata Banerjee broke away from the Indian National Congress and founded the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) in 1998. This new party aimed to challenge the long-standing Communist rule in West Bengal and represent regional interests.

Banerjee led a high-profile protest against the West Bengal government's acquisition of agricultural land in Singur for a Tata Motors Nano factory. Her movement forced Tata to relocate the project, but was criticized for hindering industrial development.

Banerjee's TMC supported protests against a proposed chemical hub in Nandigram, leading to violent clashes between police and villagers. At least 14 people were killed. The incident galvanized opposition to the CPI(M) government and boosted Banerjee's political standing.

Banerjee led the TMC to a landslide victory in the 2011 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election, ending 34 years of Communist Party of India (Marxist) rule. She became the first female Chief Minister of West Bengal.

During the 2021 West Bengal Assembly election campaign, Banerjee was allegedly attacked and injured by a group of men in Nandigram. She sustained injuries to her leg and arm. The incident became a major political flashpoint, with both TMC and BJP trading accusations.

Banerjee's government passed the Jai Bangla Bill in the West Bengal Assembly, making the slogan 'Jai Bangla' the state's official slogan. The bill was seen as an assertion of regional identity and a counter to the central government's emphasis on 'Jai Shri Ram'.