New Delhi: The current fiery chief minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee is constantly in the news for her forthright and controversial remarks. The founder of All India Trinamool Congress is often referred as ``Didi'' by her fans, meaning elder sister.Let's have a look at some of the most interesting facts from her journey from a lower-middle class family girl to an epitome of strength and courage.• Born in 1955 in lower-middle class in Kolkata, Mamta had a childhood filled with hardships especially after she lost her father at an early age. • Mamta made her debut in politics in 1970 and made a niche by becoming a demagogue in the Chhatra Parishad activist. • She was soon promoted to the position of secretary of Indian National Trade Union Congress due to her fantabulous oration skills. • The year 1984 turned out to be a remarkable year for Mamta. She attracted the attention and gained popularity after she defeated veteran leader Somanth Chatterjee. • In 1990 Mamta was attacked by CPI(M) activists while she was presiding over a procession in Hazra Road Kolkata. • Mamta broke her alliance with Congress in 1998 which is also considered as a significant turning point of her political journey. • She became one of the youngest politicians to have entered the parliament after she defeated Somnath Chatterjee in 1984 General elections. • She kept winning the Kolkata South seat for 18 years (1991-2009 elections). • She was given the Railway Minister portfolio in 1999 under NDA rule but a year later she resigned from the post in order to protest against the petrol price hike. • A decade later, in 2009 Mamta was once again given the Railway portfolio after she joined hands with UPA government. But she once again withdrew her support from the UPA government to protest against the FDI retail policy. • Mamta set up a an agitation against West Bengal government and Tata company in order to stop the decision of establishing a car factory in Singrur in 2006. • With her party's victory in 2011 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election Mamta marked an end to a 34 year rule of CPI(M) in Bengal.
Updated on: November 22, 2013 6:44 IST
