Mamata's Masterstroke: First Female Chief Secretary Appointed Amidst Shah's Criticism

• Mamata Banerjee appointed Nandini Chakravorty as West Bengal's first female Chief Secretary, a historic administrative decision.
• The appointment came within 24 hours of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's strong criticism of women's safety and law and order in Bengal.
• Nandini Chakravorty, a 1994-batch IAS officer, previously served as the state's Home Secretary, overseeing police and law enforcement.
• This move is seen as a political counter to BJP's narrative portraying Mamata's government as anti-women, especially after incidents like RG Kar and Sandeshkhali.
• The appointment aims to woo the female vote bank ahead of the 2026 assembly elections, showcasing women's empowerment through action.

Why It Matters: Mamata appoints first female Chief Secretary, countering BJP's women's safety criticism and empowering women.