I interviewed Sudip Bandyopadhyay in Feb 2010 for 'The Statesman'.
He was not Lok Sabha leader of TMC. That position was for Mamata Banerjee, then also Railway Minister in UPA-1.
Of course, Sudip da was chief whip of the party.
The timing of our interaction was crucial. The Marxists were still in power. Always part of the 'think tank' of Team Mamata; Sudip Bandyopadhyay spoke on a host of issues including that the TMC had nexus with Maoists.
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| The Statesman : Page 7 (Feb 13, 2010) |
In circa 2026, it's worth reflecting on some of his comments and responses.
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I had asked him about the then Home Minister P Chidambaram's statement that there was "no scope" for invoking Article 356 in West Bengal (2010).
I specially asked, "you were not pleased" !!
Sudip's response ::: (with Smiles) I would say, yes and no both. I said immediately after Mr Chidambaram's statement that we understand his position. No minister can say in the House that he would impose President's Rule. But to be fair to him and us, at least one central team had gone. I would like to invite Chidambaram to visit the state himself.
Earlier, conceding our request, central forces were sent to Lalgarh when the Left Front was completely paralysed. The state government (under Buddhadeb) is simply not competent to handle the situation.
My next question was ::
But don't you think Mr Chidambaram could have avoided saying that he has a 'good working relation' with Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and that there was no scope for imposing President's Rule.
Sudip Bandyopadhyay had said:
"Look on our pert we said clearly that sending such a team was within the purview of law. In fact, I myself justified the Centre's decision in the Lok Sabha in the face of stiff criticism from Left and other Opposition members who said the federal structure of the Constitution was under attack.
"In Bengal, its a case of total collapse of the law and order machinery and administration. After the Lok Sabha elections (of 2009), as many as 130 Trinamool Congress and Congress workers have been killed and the killing spree continues.
"We have reported to the Prime Minister that the number of killings has reached 500, including police personnel."
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| Sudip Da and Amit Shah : 2026 Reality Check |
I also asked, "What about the allegations about Trinam00l Congress having a nexus with Maoists?"
He had responded saying:
All the allegations are bogus We had asked for deployment of Army in the Maoists-affected districts West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura to recover arms being used by Maoists and to restore law and order in the area.
Our delegation met the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. We told him everything and handed over details regarding the continued violence.
He also stated:
"We want protection of minorities, people from weaker sections, women and others. I must add, here, the Prime Minister gave us a patient henring and in fact agreed with our leader (Mamata Banerjee) that the rule of law should prevail.
Next question : But the Left has submitted a CD to the Prime Minister?
Sudip:
"Oh, their CD is doctored. It is from their own party channel. We have said time and again they are CPI (Marxists) during the day and CPI (Maoists) at night.
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| Chidambaram and Buddhadeb Bhattacharya |
I also quizzed him
"What about Trinamool's Bengal obsession. How does one justify your leader (Mamata) and other Union ministers of state (six of them) being so involved in Bengal affairs?
Sudip Bandyopadhyay's counter was:
"Don't you think you are not being fair to us? You cannot tell me that we can work only from the national capital.... Our Ministers are staying in Delhi for a maximum number of days.
Immediately after the Lok Sabha polls (2009), there was Marxist-sponsored violence against the people and our party workers because they voted for us.
Then there was the Aila cyclone. Mamata Banerjee along with other ministers went to the Aila-affected areas with relief material. Our party is committed to 'Ma Maati Manush'.
We cannot forget our people".
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