Kolkata's red-brick secretariat, constructed over 200 years ago for the East India Company, continues to harbor distrust towards foreign merchants. Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal, has been occupying the building for a year now and is seen as a major hurdle to economic reforms that would open up India's consumer markets to modern traders. Supporters, who fondly refer to her as "Didi" or "Big Sister", view Banerjee as a hero who ended communist rule in West Bengal and protects farmers and shopkeepers from the negative impacts of globalization, while positioning West Bengal as a key economic and cultural hub in India and Southeast Asia. However, due to a series of unpredictable actions, such as the arrest of a professor for sharing a joke email about her, critics now view her as a potential autocrat. India Today magazine has even dubbed her the "Queen of Democrazy". Banerjee's controversial behavior and dissatisfaction with her leadership in West Bengal could lead to a quick end to her popularity among voters. Additionally, she relies on the central government to help resolve West Bengal's debt crisis. These circumstances provide Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with an opportunity to outsmart someone who, despite being a coalition partner, has been a hindrance to much-needed economic reforms. India's impressive economic growth has decreased in the past year, leading to significant increases in its current account and budget deficits. However, the central government's efforts to implement crisis-alleviating policies have been hindered by its coalition partners, particularly Banerjee's Trinamool Congress party. According to Bengali political analyst Amulya Ganguli, Banerjee may be changing her approach as she is now "on the back foot" due to her previous actions. Ganguli believes that Banerjee may be realizing the importance of acting responsibly and not rejecting all proposals. A weakened Banerjee could potentially make it easier for Singh's government to push through reform, as their popularity has decreased due to corruption scandals and high inflation. Despite her humble beginnings, Banerjee was recently named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world. She was visited by Hillary Clinton, who praised her political achievements and discussed potential US investment in Indian ports. However, Banerjee made it clear in an interview with Reuters that she remains opposed to foreign supermarkets such as Wal-Mart operating in India. She expressed her support for private investment in job creation in sectors like tourism, industrial projects, and hospitals, but emphasized her opposition to policies that lead to job losses for farmers and small retailers. Dressed in a white saree, she stated that there are limits to her actions, and she will not support measures that result in unemployment. She also made it clear that she will continue to resist any attempts to increase heavily subsidised fuel and rail fares. This stance is concerning for Prime Minister Singh, as his inability to address deficits and economic slowdown has damaged his reputation as the driving force behind reforms that modernized India's economy two decades ago. "They are only discussing price increases for the common people, you must consider other options as well. You should explore different ways to develop your business and find additional funding," stated Banerjee, whose 19 MPs provide a majority for Singh's Congress party in parliament. Despite being unmarried and still residing in her family's tin-roofed house in a Kolkata slum, Banerjee is dealing with her own financial difficulties in the state government. This situation could potentially give Singh more influence over his stalled reform plans. With India's highest state debt of nearly $40 billion, largely left behind by her communist predecessors who governed until last year's elections, Banerjee is struggling to cover teachers' salaries and is requesting a three-year moratorium from the central government. Despite her ownership of an iPad, Banerjee is inspired by the frugal values of Indian independence icon Mahatma Gandhi. She proudly states that she does not accept a government salary or benefits such as a car and housing. Despite her personal austerity, she has hired around 90,000 new teachers and police officers, despite the state's debts. The cost has raised some concerns, but her finance minister, Amit Mitra, believes it is nominal due to low wages. Mitra, a former head of India's FICCI, stated that the state's tax revenue increased by 20 percent last year mainly due to enforcement efforts. Kolkata, formerly Calcutta, was once a thriving intellectual and industrial capital under British rule. Today, it is compared to Havana, with its faded tropical grandeur and old-fashioned taxis. Banerjee wants to bring back the former glory of the state by modernizing the city to compete with London. She has invited companies to help with projects like building a 'Kolkata Eye' ferris wheel. Critics have questioned her projects like painting bridges blue and installing ornamental street lights, but officials say they are cost-effective. Despite some disappointment with her efforts to improve the investment climate, there are signs of change like new flyovers, airport terminals, and the growth of middle-class apartments and office buildings. Banerjee, inspired by Rabindranath Tagore, is a painter and poet with her own creative vision. However, some critics highlight a negative aspect of this individual, who does not seem to tolerate opposing views. As a demonstration of her influence, she recently compelled the prime minister to dismiss his railway minister, a member of her own party, after he announced in parliament that rail fares would be increasing. Dinesh Trivedi, the former minister, stated from his residence in New Delhi that "When I announced the increase in fares, everyone thumped the desk," but shortly after, he was asked to resign. The fare increase was deemed necessary by unions and economists to aid in funding the modernization of a railway network that hinders economic growth due to its overcrowded trains and outdated infrastructure. In April, Ambikesh Mahapatra, a 52-year-old chemistry professor, forwarded an email that mocked Banerjee's handling of Trivedi. Police arrested him for allegedly committing 'cyber crimes' after a group of people confronted and assaulted him. Mahapatra expressed surprise at facing legal consequences, stating that he now feels fearful due to 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 attackers, was able to defeat the leftists in part by speaking out against the culture of political violence in West Bengal. Critics now question whether things have truly changed. According to Dwaipayan Bhattacharyya of the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta, Banerjee's current policy seems to be to support infrastructure projects while cracking down on protesters. He believes she has no tolerance for any form of disagreement. Bhattacharyya stated that the educated middle classes, who originally supported Banerjee's defeat of the left, have been turned off by her actions. Banerjee denied allegations of being autocratic and claimed that the campaign against her was orchestrated by the communists she had removed from power. Despite this, violence has decreased 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, but there may be a shift in the near future. A senior government adviser, speaking anonymously, suggested that Banerjee's reputation as a dragon slayer is diminishing with the recent arrest of a scientist. "Maybe that provides Anand with some additional space, we will find out."