Left capitalism, CPM style

The CPM in West Bengal has to find the right balance between industrialisation and socialist ideals. So far, it has abjectly failed

Rajat Roy Kolkata

2008 began on a positive note for the ruling CPM in West Bengal. The unveiling of Tata's small car Nano was followed by a flood of proposals for the setting up of automobile ancillary units in the state. After that came the much awaited judgment of the Calcutta High Court giving a clean chit to the state government's acquisition of land in Singur, paving the way for the rolling out of the Nano from there. On the political front, the ruling party's state conference went off well and the rank and file of the party now rallying behind the leadership to face the challenge of the coming panchayat and municipal elections.

In comparison, last year was a harrowing time for the CPM in West Bengal. Agitations over Singur and Nandigram pushed the ruling party to the wall, and in desperation it used muscle power to recapture Nandigram. Last year also saw the resurgence of the civil society in Bengal, when Kolkata's leading intellectuals openly revolted against the ruling front, first on the Nandigram issue, then on the alleged role of senior police officers leading to the death of a young graphic designer, Rizwanur. On the Nandigram issue alone, the state government came under severe criticism from the Governor of West Bengal, Gopal Krishna Gandhi. The cynical attitude of the government and the party reflected in their tackling of the crises; and the blunders committed by the ruling establishment showed that there existed a serious disconnect between the government and the party on the one hand, and the people on the other.

In the just concluded state conference, CPM leaders led by Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and Industries Minister Nirupam Sen admitted that there was a serious communication gap between the rural masses and the party. Bhattacharya went one step further saying that the setback in Nandigram was caused by the failure of both the party and the government to carry its message to the people. The realisation has dawned that the party should have been more sensitive to the emotions of the people who were being asked to give up their farm land for the sake of industry.

That the party was really shaken up by last year's setback was evident in the conference. Normally, CPM leaders rule the party with iron hands and do not allow criticisms against the leaders at the state- level conference. If there is any discontent, it is usually tackled and mollified at the zonal and district level. This time, however, perhaps after seeing the leaders on the back foot, a number of delegates, mostly from the districts, voiced their criticism and expressed their anger. The changing lifestyle of the leaders came under severe criticism. But at the end, the party gave the green signal to Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and his team to go ahead with their industrialisation project. 

Realising that the attempt to set the agenda for industrialisation did not go well with the rural people of the state, the party tried hard to convey that industrialisation will not be done at the cost of agriculture. Also, this time, special care will be taken to safeguard the farmers whose land might be acquired for industry. The focus would be to look for barren land in arid zones in Bankura, Purulia, West Midnapur and Birbhum for setting up new industries with adequate support from the government. In other words, the ruling party has decided to follow the path which its detractors have been suggesting ever since the Singur and Nandigram resistance began.