Decoding the Red colour face of "THE RED" in Bengal

The verdict is out. I am not referring about the blossom of the lotus in the south. At about the same time there was another election looked by the tatas and birlas of India. I am saying of the red fort of the reds in India, The West Bengal.

Panchayat Elections in Bengal, used to swipe by the red were not a matter of news for last 25 years. But this time, the media was watching it. Infact everyone in India was watching the results, particularly the 2 districts of Singur and Nandigram: the 2 districts which became synonymous with the "New Left". A sudden shift from the pro-agricultural policies of the left saw all Indian market leaders congratulating the left for the steps taken. In the process 1000's lost their lives fighting for the same land once given to them by the bygone pro-agricultural left. Fighting against the betrayal of the left, they lost their valuables lives. Thousands became orphans. So where did it went wrong.

Before the last legislature elections, left saw kolkata corporation coming to their hands, which was till then, the only prestigious government body where left didnt have much voice. Because of some economic reform taken by the west bengal govt before the elections, they got an absolute majority in Kolkata corporation. The left waited for the state assembly elections. Again they came to power in Bengal. so the comrades began to rebrand the left. Shifting their allignment from the farmers to the industry captains. CII welcomed the move by the government to allot the land to tatas in singur inspite of majority of farmers opposing it. The comrades were saying that the farmers have been compensated well. then why, singur went away frm the left???

After Singur, when the dust was settling down, the worst happened in Nandigram. In their quest to welcome all industries to Bengal, they have to take anti-agricultural stand, shooting the very own people who have voted for them, who have worked for them during elections, raping the same women who had prepared food for them during busy election schedules.

All these times, they were thinking they could again come to power in the state if they have the backing of the industry. They snatched the rich fertile lands and allowed SEZ's to be constructed there, a decision which they are opposing elsewhere in India. For a party which was continuosly winning the elections for almost 30 years because of the pro-farmer stand taken by it, should not have taken a major policy change so suddenly. The comrades should have taken time to train its local committees of the advantages of bringing industries to their areas. It should have taken their local committees into confidence. For a party which came to power fighting the bourgeois, sacrifying the lifes of many comrades, it was not expected to shoot at the farmers and behaving like the same bourgeois whom they ousted. People have been electing you not to expolit them them, but to protect them.

Anyway the panchayat elections have opened the eyes of the left. They will do a rethinking before shifting their allignments. As of now, they have stopped all land procuring deeds.Good. But this should not continue for ever. We want India to become a manufacturing hub. Bengal can do a lot in this regard. But, before welcoming any industry, take the people into confidence. Check whether they are supporting it. If not, look for areas where land utilization is low and fertility is less. Only then the left can be in power for the next years to come.

Regards,
a comrade.