The red-brick secretariat in Kolkata, built over 200 years ago for the East India Company, still holds a lingering distrust of foreign merchants. Currently occupied by Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal, who is seen as a major obstacle to economic reforms that would open up India's consumer markets. Banerjee is hailed as a hero by her supporters, who call her "Didi" or "Big Sister", for ending communist rule in West Bengal and protecting farmers and shopkeepers from the effects of globalization. They believe she is leading West Bengal towards becoming an economic and cultural powerhouse and India's gateway to Southeast Asia. However, due to a series of unpredictable actions, such as the detainment of a professor for sharing a humorous email about her, critics now view her as a potential dictator. India Today magazine has even labeled her the "Queen of Democrazy". Banerjee's controversial behavior and dissatisfaction with her leadership in West Bengal could lead to a decline in her popularity with voters. Additionally, she relies on the central government to help West Bengal overcome a financial crisis. These factors present Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with an opportunity to outmaneuver her, despite being part of the same coalition, as she has been a hindrance to much-needed economic reforms. India's impressive economic growth has decreased in the past year, leading to larger current account and budget deficits. The central government's efforts to implement crisis-solving policies have been obstructed by coalition allies like Banerjee's Trinamool Congress party. Political analyst Amulya Ganguli believes that Banerjee may be changing her approach due to recent signs of compromise. Ganguli suggests that she may be realizing the importance of acting responsibly and not rejecting all proposed solutions. A weakened Banerjee could potentially make it easier for Singh's government, which is facing a drop in popularity due to corruption scandals and high inflation, to implement reform. Despite her humble beginnings as a poor teacher's daughter, Banerjee was recently named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world. Last week, she met with Hillary Clinton, who praised her political accomplishments and discussed potential US investment in Indian ports. Banerjee, however, made it clear in an interview with Reuters that a visit from the secretary of state would not change her stance on foreign supermarkets like Wal-Mart operating in India. She expressed her support for private investment in sectors like tourism and industrial projects, as well as hospitals, to create jobs. However, she made it clear that she would always stand against policies that harm farmers and small retailers. She stated that there are limits to her support, saying that she cannot advocate for people to lose their jobs. She also mentioned that she would continue to oppose increasing the prices of heavily subsidized fuel and rail fares, which could pose a challenge for Prime Minister Singh, whose reputation has been affected by his inability to control deficits and revive the economy. Banerjee, with 19 MPs supporting Singh's Congress party in parliament, emphasizes the need to consider alternative solutions beyond discussing price hikes for the common people. Despite facing financial challenges in the state government, she is focused on developing business, finding more funds, and seeking a moratorium on state debt to pay teachers' salaries. Despite her modest lifestyle and admiration for Mahatma Gandhi's frugality, Banerjee does not accept a government salary or perks like a car and residence. Despite her personal austerity, she has hired around 90,000 new teachers and police officers, even with the state's debts. The cost of this decision has caused some surprise, but her finance minister, Amit Mitra, believes it is justified due to the low wages. Mitra, a former head of India's FICCI, stated that the state's tax revenue increased by 20% last year mainly due to improved enforcement. Kolkata, previously known as Calcutta, was once a thriving intellectual and industrial capital under British rule. Although it was one of the world's wealthiest cities in the 19th century, Kolkata now resembles Cuba's Havana with its faded grandeur and 1950s-style taxis. Banerjee expressed her desire to revive the former grandeur of the state by modernizing the city and introducing projects such as a 'Kolkata Eye' ferris wheel resembling London's. Despite criticism from the media, initiatives like painting bridges and buildings blue and installing ornamental street lights designed by Banerjee herself have been deemed cost-effective. The construction of new flyovers, an airport terminal, and the rise of middle-class residences and office buildings indicate impending change. While private investment initiatives were initiated before Banerjee's term, critics are disappointed by the lack of improvement in the investment climate in West Bengal. Banerjee, who admires Rabindranath Tagore, a Nobel laureate, also has artistic talents as a painter and poet. Critics highlight a negative aspect of someone who does not seem to accept opposing views. This person recently demonstrated her influence by compelling the prime minister to dismiss his railway minister, a member of her own party, after he declared in parliament that rail fares would increase. The former minister, Dinesh Trivedi, explained that he was swiftly removed from his position after receiving widespread approval for the fare hike. Despite being supported by unions and economists, the fare increase was deemed essential for funding the modernization of a railway system that is hindering economic growth due to overcrowded trains and outdated infrastructure. In April, a 52-year-old chemistry professor named Ambikesh Mahapatra forwarded an email that mocked Banerjee's handling of Trivedi, which led to his detention by the police on accusations of 'cyber crimes'. Before being detained, Mahapatra was confronted and assaulted by a group of around twenty people. Speaking to Reuters, Mahapatra expressed his surprise at being accused of a crime and mentioned feeling fearful, particularly due to the government's lack of remorse. Mahapatra's actions caused a strong reaction, particularly from Banerjee who had previously been attacked by Communist thugs and criticized the culture of political violence in West Bengal. Critics are questioning if there has been any change in the situation, with one commenting that Banerjee seems to be harsh on protesters while showing support for infrastructure projects. Bhattacharyya suggested that she has no tolerance for any form of disagreement. The educated middle classes, who supported her victory over the left, are now feeling alienated by her actions, according to Bhattacharyya. Banerjee, who was accused of being autocratic, dismissed these claims as a campaign orchestrated by the communists she removed from power, and cited a decrease in violence since she took office. Anand Sharma, the minister behind the plan to open up India's retail sector, has faced obstacles in achieving his goals so far, but there may be changes ahead. An anonymous government adviser suggested that Banerjee's reputation as a dragon slayer is fading due to recent events. "Maybe that provides Anand with some additional space, we will find out."