Shams Ur Rehman Alavi
Till early 1990s, it was more common to have Chief Ministers belonging to the Forward Castes in the major states.
Over the years, it changed and now Backward Community leaders are calling the shots. The BJP successfully managed to get Backward or OBC vote.
Right now, among the big states that have 100 million or more populace, the Brahmin chief ministers include--Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal, Devendra Fadnavis in Maharashtra and Bhajan Lal Sharma in Rajasthan. Among smaller states, Assam, which is ranked 15th in populace, can also be added.
A few other Upper Caste or Savarna leaders are at the post in certain states. However, it has been a major change in the last few decades in India. In the first fifty years after independence, it was common to have Upper caste, especially, Brahmins at the top post in states but no longer.
Lot of people in North India, talk about Mamata Banerjee as if she is a leader of particular section.
She was the main leader who stood against Communists, for years. But, identity & acceptance are due to her being a Brahmin leader too.
This aspect is conveniently ignored. It is mentioned in way, as if she is a leader who gets mainly Muslim support. West Bengal is over 70% Hindu. Different groups vote and there are other factors too.
Definitely, Muslims vote but Forward Castes, Backward Castes, Dalits, other communities too.
Parties that win do need strong cadre, it is known. Communists, TMC or BJP. No one disputes. But when it comes to West Bengal, it is presented in a way, as if just the Muslim support alone, puts her in this position.
Her politics, fighting on the streets, long battle against Communists, is the reason that she has been the chief minister in West Bengal for several terms. The BJP is trying hard to replace her and the results of Assembly elections will soon reveal if Mamata continues to run the show in Kolkata or BJP wins.
But for a long period, Mamata has been central to the politics of West Bengal. Credit is due. That's because of the never say die attitude. But, having mentioned this aspect, Bhadralok identity in Bengal can't be totally ignored.
The Bhadralok identity is central to West Bengal. Here, one has to be among the particular castes to lead institutions and parties. That's a fact and, hence, just claiming that consolidated Muslim vote is a reason for her strength, is not the absolute truth.
If a person is a Brahmin leader, what stops anyone from mentioning it? Or in this context, people in North will just consider chief minsters of Maharashtra and Rajasthan, as they belong to the party, the majority is more comfortable with!
WhatsApp created image of West Bengal is now so strong in North India that people who may not have much interest or don't even visit, have a strong feeling about what the state is and this is mostly through the posts that keep circulating throughout the year.