Kerala and West Bengal elections will either confirm the trend of right-ward shift in politics or underscore the CPI(M) leadership's optimism on the relevance of the Left.
Sitaram Yechury, the former Rajya Sabha MP and CPI(M) general secretary who died Thursday, was ideologically sound, politically committed, socially acceptable, and culturally refined, writes his colleague Md Salim.
Shift in approach comes in response to setbacks faced after failing to open account in 2019 Lok Sabha & 2021 assembly elections. But change hasn't been easy in Bengal.
Under the Left Front, there was seemingly more party control, less money politics. Situation is reversed now with TMC strongmen running businesses in villages & syndicates in cities.
Minakshi Mukherjee gained limelight in 2021 when CPI(M) fielded her from Nandigram against BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari & CM Mamata Banerjee. She is now at forefront of Left revival efforts.
Several tribal seats which were once Left strongholds go with BJP as Motha makes huge inroads. In several seats, Motha candidates come second with votes cut by Left-Congress alliance.
We see a clear parallel between Lakhimpur Kheri, Darrang and the temporalisation of violence under another mission-driven government, the Left Front in Bengal.
From Naxalbari, Nandigram to now, Bengal was never insulated from political violence. TMC rule has seen an escalation, but BJP's solution is no solution.
This is the game every nation is now learning to play. Some are finding new allies or seeing value among nations where they’d seen marginal interest. The starkest example is India & Europe.
The decision of the Congress Party is a good and brave decision for West Bengal. There will more choice for people of West Bengal during election. This will ensure improved performance of elected MLAs. There will definitely be improved governance and decrease in corruption level. The rule of law will prevail.
The decision of the Congress Party is a good and brave decision for West Bengal. There will more choice for people of West Bengal during election. This will ensure improved performance of elected MLAs. There will definitely be improved governance and decrease in corruption level. The rule of law will prevail.