New Delhi, Jan. 5 -- West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee officially turns 71 today, 5 January 2026. While there have been other female CMs in India, she stands out as unique for one specific reason. Read on to know what.

Mamata Banerjee is the only woman to form a political party and become a chief minister while representing the same party. Her rise is seen as self-made and independent.

She formed the All India Trinamool Congress in 1997 after leaving the Indian National Congress (INC). Since May 2011, she has served as West Bengal's chief minister for three consecutive terms.

Other women leaders, such as Mayawati, Mehbooba Mufti and J Jayalalithaa, led powerful parties. However, they inherited leadership roles rather than crea...