AN IMMEDIATE CHANGE REQUIRED!

Mamata's recent comments over the rape cases in Kolkata have evoked quite some controversy. More than the crime, those are her remarks (one particularly that labelled a rape incident as being only a fabricated story from CPI(M) to malign the state’s image) that have not gone down well with people. With six incidents of rape in a month’s time, and with Mamata quite eager to provide her clarifications on almost each one of them, the Chief Minister has become a static target that almost everybody with a hack's soul, if not occupation, is taking potshots at - what to talk about the opposition, which is basking in its pithy payback moment ridiculing Mamata's comments.

So did Mamata make mistaken comments or those without any backing and validation? If those are the issues being addressed by Mamata's supporters (or detractors, if you may), then unfortunately - like Alice in Wonderland - we're completely lost.

The fact is that Mamata Banerjee should immediately desist from responding to each and every ground level administrative or policing issue. Putting it mildly - and flatly - she should understand that it's simply not her job or responsibility to be the spokesperson and defender of various state departments or day-to-day occurrences - criminal or otherwise. Mamata's prime set of commentating responsibilities as the Chief Minister should be to speak purely on macro level issues affecting the state - economic, political and social - than on each and every criminal incident.

Taking the rape incidents as examples, even if Mamata had been forcefully asked to provide her comments, she should quite diplomatically have only forwarded the statement that the issue is being handled most urgently by the police and that the commissioner should be contacted for any details. Of course, behind the scenes, Mamata should ensure that the police spruces up their act immediately, given the deteriorating state of affairs as is evident from the increase in the reports of crime and related incidents. But in front of the camera, she should not allow herself to be the target of criticism by speaking on these issues.

If Nitish can change Bihar, so can Mamata Bengal. And she doesn't need to wonder why the Kumar gives interviews quite infrequently.