Sir — This refers to the editorial, “New politics, old violence” (April 29). The Trinamool Congress and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee must be over the moon after the party’s stupendous show in the civic polls. But, as you have mentioned in the editorial, the violence, booth-capturing incidents and allegations of rigging have tainted the success of the Chief Minister and her party.
Even so, this result is not a true barometer of the image and trust the voters of West Bengal have in Ms Banerjee and her regime. When she came to power after uprooting the left’s 34-year of rule, the people of the State, and even the country, had high hopes from her. But she has not been able to live up to those expectations.
The law and order situation has deteriorated sharply, and hooliganism by members and supporters of the TMC has become a common feature. The apprehension that similar violence may be repeated during the 2016 Assembly election is not off the mark, given Ms Banerjee’s track record. The Election Commission will have a tough task ahead. The bottom line is that Ms Banerjee has wasted four precious years, as she has not been able to achieve anything worth notice so far.