She did it in 2011, then 2016, and here comes a possible hattrick in 2021. Mamata Banerjee’s party Trinamool Congress has raced ahead in West Bengal with leads on 210 seats, leaving behind the challenger BJP by a huge margin. The BJP is currently leading on 77 seats. As she promised, she did ‘Khela Hobe’ and with thus established herself in the league of leaders who managed to defeat the seemingly invincible BJP under PM Narendra Modi.

With her newfound status, not only in the state but also at the national level, the 66-year-old Mamata Banerjee will now be a force to reckon with. The BJP, in Bengal, used the star-power of PM Modi, who did several rallies in the state and sought votes in his name and development. But Bengal, which has traditionally been loyal to “insiders” chose its “beti” over the “son of soil”, PM Modi.

Mamata Banerjee, who rose to prominence by uprooting the 34-year-old Left regime after becoming the face of what she called the fight for the rights of farmers in Nandigram, has proved that she still has deep roots among the masses and the people have faith in her “poriborton” promise.

“I would like to thank everyone. I request all to not take out victory processions. I urge everyone to go back to their homes now. I will address the media after 6pm,” Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee told party workers, who were celebrating the victory.

The win came for the party at a critical time when Trinamool’s cadre was on the edge with the top leaders of the party switching to the BJP. With this win she has proved the point that in her home, she can be challenged but can’t be defeated.