Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Bannerjee is attending the Bengal assembly today. The biggest challenge the newly elected chief minister, who is facing the assembly very first time after getting a thumbing victory in the state, is likely to face is the crippled economy of the state with a debt burden of Rs 1.86 lakh crore. It would be a big worry for Mamata to deal with as the chief minister.

It’s been a hectic 10 days for Mamata Banerjee since she took over as the chief minister of West Bengal. She has already established herself as a tough taskmaster but it’s still an uphill task ahead of her. Mamata has vowed to take West Bengal out of the financial mess it is in. The state’s debt burden is a whopping Rs 1.86 lakh crore and Mamata has already sounded the centre for help.

“The situation is difficult but to solve it, both long term and short term measures that need to be taken will be taken between the state and central government,” said Pranab Mukherjee.

Setting Bengal’s finances right is not the only thing on Mamata’s agenda. Bengal has seen the largest number of civilian casualties in Maoist violence in the last one year. On her first day in office, the chief minister offered to talk to the Maoists. Maoist groups too have responded positively.

“I am willing to talk to any group for the sake of peace of our state,” said Mamata.

In the hills, a resurgent Gorkha Janmukti Morcha is another worrry. Mamata’s quick fix solution for Gorkhaland with a slew of economic sops is not cutting much ice with the GJM.

“They voted for us with the mandate for Gorkhaland. Gorkhaland is in the hearts of the people. The people of Darjeeling want Gorkhaland,” said Roshan Giri.

A common man as the chief minister is Mamata Banerjee’s motto, and this is what she is living by up till now. But there are countless problems, which will need more than just a common solution and for that she has to put herself and her ministers on a race against the clock.