Editorial
Left debacle in West Bengal
Congratulations to Mamata
It was not unexpected and the extent of the drubbing taken by the world's longest serving democratically-elected communist government in West Bengal may not have been a surprise either. The early signs of a growing disenchantment with the Left Front were manifest in the sizeable defeat in Panchayet polls followed by a rather poor showing in the Lok Sabha elections.
Thirty-four year long rule had lulled party leaders and activists in a complacency mode topped off by arrogance and a growing indifference to the popular mood and pent-up grievances. The party's meddling in the affairs of administration blurred the line between Front and the government. Once a leader became a member of the state party committee he was destined not to be replaced. So, hardly any infusion of new blood would have been possible.
Economically, the state was lagging behind Bihar and Assam with an employment crunch taking hold due to falling investment. Besides, to be employed, party label would be considered a pre-requisite.
Ironically, Left Front, a platform that traditionally enjoyed support among the farmers and the Muslim voters lost touch with them. The land acquisition drive in Singuar for Tata's Nano car industry, which though aborted, was to become a high-voltage political issue. At the same time, death of 14 farmers in Nandigram again, in the face of a forced land acquisition campaign, for a chemical factory gave Mamata Banerjee ammunition to launch a rights-based popular movement against the incumbent.
Here comes the second paradox in that the humanist-leftist characteristics of Left Front were co-opted by Trinamool Congress. Its alliance with the Congress also strengthened the electoral equations with a vote getting fibre.
In the overwhelming defeat of Left Front, some of its early good work got submerged. Buddhadeb Bhattacharya has lost his seat, a stunning verdict for a chief minister since Prafulla Sen's personal debacle years ago. Bhattacharya has promptly conceded defeat and resigned as chief minister. People have spoken and democracy triumphed.
Our hearty felicitations to Mamata Banerjee on her electoral victory as we look forward to continuation and enrichment of our neighbourly relations with the Indian state of West Bengal.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments