If a celebrity sells a refrigerator to an Eskimo, it will be sold. We see this often in our society pages. So, why is it surprising if a painting by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee goes for Rs. 1.8 crore?
Narendra Modi landed up in Kolkata for the BJP campaign and alleged:
"Your (Mamata) paintings used to be sold for Rs. 4 lakh, Rs. 8 lakh or Rs. 15 lakh, but what is the reason that one of your paintings sold for Rs. 1.80 crore. I respect art. But who was the person who bought the painting for Rs. 1.80 crore?"
The reason for his interest in art is, of course, to score political points. In this case, "the multi-crore Saradha ponzi scam". Sudipta Sen, the key accused, said, "I didn't buy the Chief Minister's painting."
A couple of points:
- Is there also a check on those who act as decoys for such deals? Does the reputation of a buyer matter?
- If it is alleged that this is illegal money, then all parties take donations that are not all above-board.
- The Trinamool Congress (TMC) maintains that all payments for the paintings are taken by cheque, and used for social service activities.
- In January last year, at Kolkata Town Hall, Ms. Banerjee did exhibit her works for polls:
The entire amount which will be raised from this exhibition will be used to run campaign of the Trinamool Congress for the ensuing panchayat elections.
The Election Commission is being called upon to intervene in such cases now and is wasting its time. If there was indeed such a transaction, it is not possible to keep tabs if some of the money was paid in cash. And certainly no party can take a moral position on this.
The TMC's Derek O'Brien repeated his bluster, seeing how his 'bravery' is appreciated by social media activists:
"Blood is still fresh in the hands of the butcher of Gujarat. If he makes personal attacks against (TMC chief) Mamata Banerjee, we can also ask tough questions."
Why is it a quid pro quo? Why hasn't the party asked those questions before their leader was the target of personal attacks? This personality cult stinks. The riots and killings are well-documented. A bunch of people capitalise on them only when it suits their politics.
Memories are evanescent. Or, perhaps, agenda-driven. If you hate Modi, forget Mamata Banerjee's track record in Singur, in rape cases, in dislocating villagers, in censoring, in not permitting any criticism of her?
This is what passes for liberal analysis.
© Farzana Versey
A para and report from a quote had vanished. Have updated it, just in case. Ref: The money used for polls last year at Kolkata Town Hall exhibition.
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