Far more than the success or otherwise of its just concluded programme led by the united Left formation Bengal Platform of Mass Organisations (BPMO), the political limitations of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) have been significantly exposed.

Among the gains made by the Left: One , the TMC has conceded ground to the Left opposition for the first time since 2011 enabling it to carry out such a sustained agitation all over Bengal; two, confusion was evident in the TMC’s half-hearted opposition to the Left sponsored long marches and protest ‘jathas’ . There were, as in the past, sporadic efforts in pockets to intimidate and physically attack Left leaders and activists in some areas where the campaign faltered.

On the other hand, in many areas Left cadres and supporters, mainly drawn from the ranks of the CPI(M), carried out their marches and rallies undisturbed. Public participation too, exceeded expectation in many South Bengal districts, now considered to be TMC strongholds. Clearly, the TMC leadership had no clear policy how to deal with the Left protest, whether to oppose it outright or not.

Observers explained that the present political scenario sharply limits the TMC”s options vis-à-vis its opposition in Bengal. Given party supremo Mamata Banerjee’s priority to work up a coherent national coalition of forces against the BJP, there can be no possibility of any crackdown against the Left Front or the Congress in the state. Both entities, also being anti-BJP, must form part of any proposed national anti-BJP alliance as envisaged by Mamata Banerjee.

Indeed there are reports, unconfirmed as of now, that top TMC leaders had preached caution to their aggressive hordes of supporters ‘not to cross the limit’ while dealing with the Left-sponsored agitation.

No wonder the Left took full advantage of the situation as did the Cong(I), which also protested against the failure of the state government to tackle the menace of increasing attacks and deaths resulting from a massive outbreak of dengue and other diseases in Bengal, the worst in recent years.

Being the more organised force, the CPI(M) and its allies had planned to access all districts and areas covered by the 70,000-odd polling booths during their programme. From most districts in South or North Bengal, cadres of the CPI(M) had been driven out or arrested on various charges by the state Government. Congress supporters fared no better. This had severely curtailed political space for the opposition to a point where they were becoming nonexistent.

However, as CPI(M) leader Biman Bose pointed out , the target of reaching out to all parts of the state could not be accomplished . At best, the Left parties had achieved only 50% of their objectives. But given the existing conditions under which the Bengal opposition had to operate, even this was no mean achievement. CITU leader Shyamal Chakravarty pointed out that quite apart from emboldening Left supporters, at least 600,000 people had participated in the 12-day programme. Such a mobilisation was unthinkable until recently.

This public response, coupled wth the TMC’s political dilemma and its one-point anti-BJP agenda, has encouraged the Left leadership to announce that their mass agitations would continue over November and December as well. In this phase, the BPMO would organise further mobilsations to press for digitised ration cards for all, more work under MNREGA, cheaper supplies of rice and kerosene, better primary health services and the payment of their long pending dearness allowance to government employees
Both Left leaders and party members feel more confident looking forward to November end and December. Says Anjan Roy, CITU member, ‘Our jathas showed that the Left forces are still being supported silently by common people, who have been intimidated by the TMC’s strong arm tactics. Our programmes have been generally very well attended, which prevented the TMC from turning too aggressive.’

A CPI(M) leader says that during the next phase party cadres and supporters would try to reach out to areas and pockets in Bengal which the jathas could not access for one reason or another. ’We must establish our presence in all the 341 blocks and areas under the 70,000-odd polling booths well before the coming panchayat elections, which may be held early next year.’

The Left Front hopes to kill two birds with one stone, by resorting to its familiar agitational path. Quite apart from opposing the TMC strongly and publicly in well-attended rallies, it would make its voice heard again among the people. Also, their cadre mobilisations and political programmes would prevent the common people from going over to the BJP en masse and regarding the saffron party as the only credible, available alternative to the ruling TMC.

The fact that so far the BJP has not yet announced any mass agitational activity against the TMC is regarded as an advantage conceded to the Left. ‘In Bengal, only sustained agitations against the ruling party or coalitions have brought opposition forces in power,’ says an observer. However, while the BJP has been more active on the ground against the TMC in recent months, launching occasional protests, it is seemingly unable to carry out well-planned campaigns that leave an impact on the people.

It remains to be seen if the Bengal BJP also switches to a more active agitational path, as urged upon by its Central leaders, now that the experienced Mukul Roy has joined its ranks. (IPA Service)