Mamata Banerjee’s crusade against the Communists may be confined to West Bengal but it will now get a global audience in one of the world’s most prestigious universities. Come October, the Railway Minister and Trinamool Congress chief will be in Cambridge University to showcase her political achievements.
The 800-year old prestigious university has invited Banerjee to deliver a lecture on the subject of “the rising power”. Banerjee will be talking at the university on October 25.
“The invitation had come almost eight-ten months ago. But she couldn’t go because of engagements in the state and the Centre,” the minister’s personal assistant Ratan Mukherjee told Business Standard.
Her trip to one of the finest universities in the world will mark Banerjee’s maiden foreign tour after becoming the UPA minister. Earlier, she was scheduled to go to Dhaka but the trip was cancelled at the last moment.
Banerjee’s predecessor, Lalu Prasad, had also earned fame by delivering lectures at the MIT, Harvard and Wharton business schools. During his election campaign in rural Bihar, Prasad had highlighted these trips to showcase his achievements to the masses.
While the subject—the rising power—is essentially an opportunity for Banerjee to highlight her political struggles against the CPI(M) in Bengal, Ratan Mukherjee hinted that Banerjee might take a plunge to talk about the country as a whole.
“The subject has the scope of talking about the rise of India as a economic superpower. As a member of the Union cabinet Mamata Banerjee can also talk about the country’s achievements,” Mukherjee told Business Standard.
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The Trinamool Congress has been spearheading political movement against the CPI(M) since its inception. In the Lok Sabha, panchayet and civic body polls, her Trinamool Congress has almost routed the CPI(M). Now, she is eyeing an opportunity to oust the CPI(M)-led Left Front in the state assembly polls next year after its uninterrupted stint of 33 years.
According to Rail Bhawan officials, the world-famous University has described her as an " extraordinarily distinguished political figure" in its invitation. The university's deputy vice- chancellor, Dame Sandra Dawson, had suggested Banerjee's name as a guest lecturer. Dawson is the head of the Cambridge- India Partnership unit.
During her maiden visit, Banerjee is also likely to meet some prominent British politicians.