Oppn, media, EC: Mamata has too many enemies now but hardly a friend

Two days ahead of the second phase of the West Bengal Assenbly election, Chief Minister and supremo of the ruling party, Mamata Banerjee, has virtually at an war with the Election Commission (EC).

EC has taken a series of steps against Trinamool

The panel has taken a series of steps after the Opposition approached it with several complaints. It removed the Kolkata police commissioner on charges of showing favour to the ruling party; removed top police officers of Birbhum district where Banerjee's strongman Anubrata Mondal has been seen issuing threats often; seeking explanation from the state's chief poll officer on why there were so many complaints on conducting the election in the state (the EC received over 1,500 complaints in the April 11 phase) and last but not the least---showcaused the state's CM on charges of violating the model code of conduct. [April 17 election an acid test for Mamata]

The more she is facing attack, the more Mamata is getting angry and the more she is being targeted...

The chief minister and her lieutenants have also decided not to keep silent. Banerjee warned the EC saying nobody can stop her from saying or doing whatever she wants. The instance of the poll panel showcausing the chief minister of a state is unprecedented but it has also given Banerjee a welcome opportunity to deviate the focus from various issues that have left her Trinamool Congress (TMC) in more than a spot of bother. [What if Mamata loses this election?]

A section of the media is targeting TMC unsparingly in this election

But Banerjee has a big disadvantage this time. Besides the Opposition, the chief minister has found enemies in the media and now the EC as well. And the more she is facing criticism from these quarters, the more careless she is becoming in chsoosing words.

It was reported in the media that Banerjee threatened the EC about taking revenge or doing anything to win Narayangarh-the constituency of Leader of Opposition Surjya Kanta Mishra. These reports are undoubtedly causing the chief minister, who is known to be a mercurial leader, to lose her cool and speak out with more vengeance. The vicious cycle is going on interrupted.

Banerjee has a big disadvantage: She has hardly a true adviser to suggest her a way

Banerjee has nobody by her left who can advise her on how to stay cool in this heated environment. The TMC supremo is being attacked not only by the local Opposition leaders but even top Congress and BJP leadership. Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, who is otherwise known to have a good relation with Banerjee, also targeted her in sharp terms at a rally in Malda earlier this week. These factors are perhaps cornering Banerjee more.

The leader, who still stands the tallest in Bengal's politics, needs an efficient team of advisors and strategists at this hour. Instead of escalating the fight with constitutional bodies like the EC, she requires to sit back and think the next step. But the TMC supremo has her party filled up with so many yesmen and celebrities who have zero impact that there is no scope for a second thought.