The new Bengal tiger
Honest Policy-maker
As someone who readily accepts his party's mistakes and promises to make amends, people look at Bhattacharya as an honest leader who can be relied upon.
Throughout his tenure, he has focused on revamping the state's education policy -- he admits it has been one of the shortcomings of his government -- remodelling transportation and -- despite being a firm believer in Communism -- curbing militant unionism.
'I have an obligation towards the people who have elected me,' Bhattacharya told a Bengali television channel recently. 'And I will push forward with the reforms I have promised.'
With a landslide mandate behind him, Buddhadeb Bhattacharya's real challenge is living up to those very expectations.
Bhattacharya with Biman Bose, the powerful Left Front leader. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
Also See: Complete Coverage: The 2006 Assembly Elections