"I see development as the strong point for us in this election and how it has affected the common people,” says Amit Mitra, a widely renowned economist and member of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) contesting the West Bengal polls. He claims that the TMC inherited a budget deficit of Rs 2 lakh crore which the government has now reversed. He said the party has the capability to give the public a city that mirrors San Jose, California. Although he joined politics quite late in his life, he reminisces how Mamata Banerjee inspired him to join her when she was the Railway Minister and how the Left in India have a fascist streak.