The red-brick secretariat in Kolkata, originally built over 200 years ago by the East India Company for trade purposes, is now occupied by Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal. She is seen as a major obstacle to economic reforms that would open up India's consumer markets to modern traders, with some viewing her as a hero who ended communist rule in the state and protects locals from the negative effects of globalisation. Supporters affectionately refer to her as "Didi" and believe she is leading West Bengal towards becoming an economic and cultural powerhouse and India's gateway to Southeast Asia. Despite a series of unpredictable actions, such as the arrest of an academic for sharing a joke email about her, critics now view her as a potential dictator. India Today magazine has labeled her the "Queen of Democrazy." Banerjee's widely mocked behavior and the dissatisfaction with her leadership in West Bengal may lead to the end of her popularity with voters. Additionally, she relies on the central government to help resolve West Bengal's debt crisis. These factors provide Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with an opportunity to outsmart someone who, despite being a coalition partner, has obstructed vital 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-alleviating policies have been hindered by coalition partners, particularly Banerjee's Trinamool Congress party. An analyst noted that Banerjee may be changing her stance and becoming more cooperative in response to the situation. A weakened Banerjee could potentially make it easier for Singh's government, which has been dealing with declining popularity due to corruption scandals and high inflation, to implement reforms. Despite her humble beginnings as a poor teacher's daughter, Banerjee was recently recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. During a visit from Hillary Clinton, Banerjee received praise for her political accomplishments and discussed potential US investment in Indian ports. However, Banerjee made it clear in an interview with Reuters that she remains steadfast in her opposition to foreign supermarkets like Wal-Mart operating in India. She mentioned that she supports private investment to generate employment in sectors like tourism and industrial projects, as well as in hospitals. However, she stated that she will always resist policies that result in job losses for farmers and small retailers. Dressed in a white saree, she expressed that there are limits to her actions and she cannot support measures that leave people unemployed. She also stated her opposition to increasing the prices of heavily subsidised fuel and rail fares. This stance is concerning for Prime Minister Singh, as his inability to control deficits and address the economic slowdown has damaged his reputation as the reformer who revitalized India's sluggish economy two decades ago. Banerjee, who holds significant influence over Singh's Congress party in parliament with her 19 MPs, stressed the importance of considering alternative solutions beyond just discussing price increases for the common people. Despite facing financial challenges in the state government due to high debt inherited from previous administrations, Banerjee is focused on developing business and securing additional funds. She is seeking a moratorium from the central government to address the state's financial crisis, while also maintaining a frugal lifestyle inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, refusing government salary, car, and residence perks. Despite her personal austerity, she has still managed to hire around 90,000 new teachers and police officers, even with the state's debts. The high cost of this decision has raised concerns, but her finance minister, Amit Mitra, believes it is minimal due to the low wages. Mitra, a former head of India's leading industry chamber, FICCI, mentioned that the state's tax revenue increased by 20 percent last year mainly due to stricter enforcement. Kolkata, formerly Calcutta, was once a thriving intellectual and industrial hub under British rule. Despite its past glory, the city now resembles Havana with its faded tropical charm and 1950s-style taxis. "We aim to bring back the former glory of this state," stated Banerjee, who has pledged to modernize the city to the level of London and has called on companies to assist, including in constructing a 'Kolkata Eye' to compete with the British capital's large ferris wheel. Despite criticism in the media, projects such as painting city bridges and buildings blue and installing ornamental street lights designed by Banerjee herself to enhance civic pride are considered cost-effective by officials. The construction of new flyovers to alleviate traffic congestion, an airport terminal, and the rise of middle-class apartments and office buildings indicate that change is underway. While efforts to attract private investment began before Banerjee took office, many are disappointed by the lack of improvement in the investment climate in West Bengal. Inspired by Bengali polymath Rabindranath Tagore, a Nobel literature laureate, Banerjee, who is also a painter and poet, has her own artistic inclinations. Critics point out a negative aspect of someone who does not seem to allow any opposition. Recently, she demonstrated her power by pressuring the prime minister to dismiss his railway minister, a member of her own party, after he announced in parliament that rail fares would increase. The former minister, Dinesh Trivedi, expressed surprise at being asked to leave after receiving approval for the fare hike from unions and economists, who considered it essential for modernizing the overcrowded and outdated railway infrastructure that is hindering economic growth. In April, Ambikesh Mahapatra, a 52-year-old chemistry professor, forwarded an email that mocked Banerjee's treatment of Trivedi. As a result, he was detained by the police on charges of 'cyber crimes'. Before his arrest, Mahapatra was confronted and physically assaulted by a group of around twenty people. Mahapatra expressed his surprise at being accused of a crime, stating to Reuters that he now feels fearful, particularly because of the government's lack of remorse. Mahapatra's approach caused a strong reaction. Banerjee, who was previously hospitalized for several months after being attacked by Communist thugs, was able to defeat the leftists in part by denouncing the political violence in West Bengal. Critics are now questioning if there has been any change. Dwaipayan Bhattacharyya from the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta, remarked, "White and blue for the bridges, black and blue for the protesters," suggesting that this seems to be Banerjee's current approach. He also added, "She does not tolerate any form of dissent." Bhattacharyya stated that the educated middle classes, who had previously supported Banerjee's defeat of the left, have been alienated by her behavior. Banerjee denied accusations of being autocratic and attributed the campaign against her to the communists she had removed from power. She also claimed that violence has decreased significantly since she took office. Anand Sharma, the minister behind the plan to liberalize India's retail sector, has faced obstacles in achieving his goals, but there may be changes on the horizon. An anonymous senior government adviser suggested that Banerjee's reputation as a dragon slayer is diminishing with the recent arrest of a scientist. "Maybe that will provide Anand with some extra space, we will wait and see."