Mamata Banerjee meets ailing Mahasweta Devi

KOLKATA: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee visited ailing writer and social activist Mahasweta Devi on Saturday, setting the political circles abuzz. Mahasweta, however, told TOI over telephone that the CM inquired about her health and there was no discussion on other issues.
"She (Mamata) came to see me and asked about my health. We didn't discuss politics or any other matter," said the author, who has not been keeping well.
Political observers, however, believe Mamata's visit to Mahasweta Devi's home has more to it than the eye can see.
The Magsasay Award winner, who pioneered the poribitan that brought Mamata to power in May 2011, has criticized the government's policies on many occasions.
The CM's visit was perhaps aimed at bridging the gap between Mahasweta and the government, given the writer's popularity among sections of the civil society and
Left activists. Trinamool leaders may disagree, but rebel Trinamool MP Kabir Suman maintains that Mamata couldn't have been the CM without the support she got from Mahasweta Devi and himself, at least in Kolkata.