I said, make the party understand the danger of BJP Buddhababu was my political opponent. He attacked me fiercely. I also pierced him on the stage of politics. But after sitting in the government, I have tried to maintain social and personal relations with him.
Mamata Banerjee exchanged courtesies with opposition leaders including Buddhadev Bhattacharya before taking oath as chief minister for the first time. — file image.
Mamata Banerjee
Year 2008. The Singur movement was at its height. We will not allow any land to be forcibly cultivated. That is the dispute with him. That is why we met face to face at Raj Bhavan.
As far as I can remember, I had only met him once before. It was the day after the destruction of Babri Masjid. Buddhadev Bhattacharya was the police minister at that time. I am in Congress. Our boys were being arbitrarily arrested and beaten up by the police when they took to the streets to maintain peace. Lalbazar was repeatedly called to no avail. So I went straight to the Police Minister's house to protest.
The second meeting was during that Singur movement. He was the Chief Minister then. Before that I had fasted for 26 days in Calcutta. Later I went back to Singur. I sat there in protest. The then Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi mediated and arranged a face-to-face meeting with the Chief Minister.
But Gopal Gandhi did a strange thing there. Suddenly quoting from the writings of Rabindranath Tagore, he said, "You are alone on the path you have to take... What is the next line? Who will say?'' Why he said that line, I don't know. But somehow I was finding meaning from inside it at that time.
Buddhababu practiced literature and culture. But I saw, at that moment he was silent! Why, I don't understand. This time I started saying, "Nayane Andhar Rebe, Dheyane Alokrekha..." Gopal Gandhi laughed. Buddhababu looked up.
In the next phase, Nandan had to meet him again for the same reason. A few of our fellow Trinamool Congress leaders were also with me. Be full of memories.
After winning the elections in 2011, our government took oath on the spacious lawn of Raj Bhavan. Outgoing Chief Minister Buddhadevbabu, Biman Bose and others were present at the event. Before going to the swearing-in platform, approach them as a matter of courtesy. Greetings were exchanged. not talk.
Buddhababu was my political opponent. He attacked me fiercely. I also pierced him on the stage of politics. But after sitting in the government, I have tried to maintain social and personal relations with him. Gradually it became much easier. A personal relationship also developed with his wife, Meera Boudi. I like this communication very much keeping politics aside.
The first day I went to Buddhababu's government housing flat on Palm Avenue, it was somewhat out of the blue. I heard he was sick. I also learned from various sources that they are having problems living inside that flat. One day on my way back from office I went to that house. With the then Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar.
That day Buddhadev Bhattacharya was a little upset! Maybe, because of illness, he could not speak well. I talked more with Boudi. I suggested to leave that small flat and go somewhere else. I humbly requested to be by Buddha's side in any need regarding his health and accommodation. Boudi did not leave without eating tea.
I went a few more times later. I talked with Boudi. I have inquired about Buddha's body. Once I got the news that he was sent to the hospital, I went to that medical center in Alipur at night. Later, whenever he had to go to the hospital, I kept his news.
I brought up the subject of politics only once. There was talk of BJP's excesses. I told Buddhababu, 'Don't ask your team to be a little active! It is very important to stop BJP. Explain the danger. What you say will be important.' He listened and said that he was also aware of the dangers of the BJP.
Today he is not. So I don't want to evaluate his political thoughts and work on this day. Some of his decisions as Chief Minister were not correct in my judgment, not even today. History will bear witness to everything. But he has a long political life. He deserves that respect.
Life embraces life. It builds bonds. Death creates emptiness. Today is the moment of emptiness. So, although our political opinion-path-goals are different, I feel a little empty somewhere. The feeling of emptiness in my mind for Buddhada as a person above politics is the biggest thing for me today.
(By: Debashis Bhattacharya)
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