“Tigress of Bengal” is a popular moniker used by supporters, allies, and the media to refer to Mamata Banerjee, the current Chief Minister of West Bengal. She herself has also embraced the term. 

Origin and Usage of the Moniker

• Political Identity: The nickname is primarily used to describe her fierce, fighting spirit, resilience, and unyielding stance against political opposition.
• Self-Reference: Banerjee has publicly referred to herself in this way, notably stating, “I am a Bengal tigress, I break but I do not bend”. At Oxford University, she once said, “Didi walks just like a royal Bengal tiger. If you can catch, catch me”.
• Recognition of Power: Allies, such as Uddhav Thackeray of the Shiv Sena, have congratulated the “Bengal tigress” for single-handedly leading her party to victory and defeating formidable opponents in state elections.
• Media and Cultural Reference: The name has been widely adopted in political commentary and media coverage, and was even the title of a film (biopic) about her life, highlighting its strong association with her public image. 

About Mamata Banerjee

• Current Role: She has been the Chief Minister of West Bengal since 2011, the first woman to hold the office.
• Party Founder: She is the founder of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC or TMC) party, which she established in 1998 after separating from the Indian National Congress.
• Political History: Known popularly as “Didi” (elder sister), she gained prominence for her grassroots connection and for ending the 34-year-long rule of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Front government in West Bengal. 

The phrase is a powerful symbol of her political persona as a strong and formidable leader in Indian politics.