Renowned economist and political commentator Sanjaya Baru, who served as media adviser to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, has publicly endorsed Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee as a potential prime ministerial candidate, calling it "time for a second woman PM."
In an article published in The Telegraph, Baru argued that India has gone too long without a female leader at the helm, emphasizing the male domination in politics. "In any case, it is a long time since we have had a woman prime minister. Given the excessive male domination of national and regional politics, it is time the country had a second woman prime minister and no one fits the bill better than Ms Banerjee," he wrote.
Baru's remarks come months ahead of the state Assembly election, highlighting Banerjee's unique position in contemporary Indian politics. He praised her as standing apart from other leaders of national and regional parties.
"As the only woman to presently head both a political party and a government, Ms Banerjee stands apart from all the current generation of leaders of national and regional political parties," Baru stated in the article.
Baru further described Mamata Banerjee as a self-made, first-generation leader with her feet firmly on the ground. He noted her linguistic versatility, pointing out that she can communicate in three languages—a capability he said cannot be claimed by most North Indian politicians.
The endorsement underscores Banerjee's distinctive profile as the head of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the government in West Bengal, positioning her as a standout figure amid discussions on leadership diversity in India.
Baru's commentary revives conversations about gender representation at the highest levels of Indian governance, drawing on his extensive experience in political media and analysis.
