People's Democracy

Increasing Determination Of The Left In West Bengal

Debasish Chakraborty

AT a time when the national political discourse is being dominated by false issues like �strong� and �weak� prime ministers, West Bengal witnessed a massive and intensive political campaign in the Lok Sabha elections. All issues, ranging from worldwide recession to India-US nuclear deal, were discussed and debated in every corner of the state. The CPIM) and the Left Front produced, literally, hundreds of campaign materials on issues like effects of neo-liberal policies, agrarian crisis, plight of the minorities, role of the Left in the last five years etc. Thousands of neighborhood meetings were organised throughout the state for the last two and half months where every conceivable issue was discussed. This, despite the fact that the Congress-TMC combine tried to reduce the election to state issues only. With the slogan of a so-called �Change�, they concentrated their attack on Left Front government. Trinamul leaders indulged in obscene, virulent attack not only against the chief minister but also against the leading intellectuals of the state. This, however, has caused a sharp reaction among the people and waves of protest swept the state.

The first phase of polls in Bengal, held on April 30, 2009, witnessed violence by Maoists in parts of western districts of West Midnapore and Purulia. The land mine blasts in Purulia created panic in some areas resulting in a low turn out. In Jhargram constituency, Maoists forced a virtual vote boycott in Lalgarh and adjacent areas. Thousands of tribals were denied of their voting rights in this atmosphere of terror.

What happened in Darjeeling hill areas was a mockery of election process. Gorkha Janamukti Morcha activists captured booths with abandon and there was neither obstruction nor intervention from the Election Commission. The central security forces sat idle and observers from the Election Commission were incommunicado and untraceable while the reign of terror was let loose in the hills. It was clear enough that BJP candidate Jaswant Singh meticulously organised the entire planning of this mockery.

These incidents, instead of deterring, increased the determination of Left Front activists and the campaign for the second and third phase was more spontaneous. Massive gatherings took place in central and southern part of the state.

The gradual consolidation of Left Front and huge mobilisations in rallies and election meetings has unnerved the opposition. One symptom is TMC�s physical attacks on the parties and leaders who were Mamata Banerjee�s close allies till three months ago. Sidikullah Chowdhury of Jamat fame, Samajwadi Party state chief Vijay Upadhaya,  BJP leader S S Aluwaliah along with party�s candidate in Tamluk and PDS leaders  (Saifuddin Chowdhury is contesting in Jadavpur) were attacked  by TMC activists.

Congress leaders, including prime minister Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi have repeatedly hinted that they would seek �Left support� after the elections. The Left leaders have rubbished the possibility of such a support but it has already created confusion in Congress-TMC combine in West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee and leading TMC leaders have openly questioned the Congress stand and admitted that this would �break the morale� of opposition in the state.

Political hypocrisy reached its peak when Mamata Banerjee claimed, on the eve of the second phase elections, that she never had any relations with BJP. Banerjee, a long standing ally of BJP who not only fought three elections in alliance with that party but also became a minister in the Vajpayee cabinet. Her role during the Gujarat massacre has once again come under scanner. The apparently surprising claim by her is seen as a desperate attempt to win a section of the minority votes.