Ironically, the subtle, hard-to-describe changes have been understood better by Mamata Banerjee, whose instinctive, impulsive style of politics has proved far more attractive than the logical, more methodical style of left politics.

Nothing illustrates this better than the perceptive left criticism of the Trinamool Congress rally of July 21 in Kolkata. Rising Left youth leader Ritabrata Chatterjee told newsmen that it was more of a “jatra” (Rural drama), a variety show, than a meeting. There was more of and more emphasis on, songs and dances, and hardly any speeches of substance. It was a typical Trinamool political meeting, hardly befitting its billing as a tribute to party “martyrs” who had been killed. No wonder the new Chief Minister of the state dismissed the allegations of violence against the left parties in some areas as inconsequential.

Factually, Chatterjee’s grouse is right, correct to the letter. A variety show is just what it was, on Brigade Parade ground on July 21, 2011. And there could be no prizes for guessing who performed as the MC — it was Ms Banerjee all the way. The others, including people like Amit Mitra, Partha Chatterjee, Mahasweta Devi, Saugata Ray, Manish Gupta, Shubhaprasanna, were just also there.

In terms of substance, too, there was nothing new, as Chatterjee astutely pointed out.

Yet, to the utter consternation of leftist opinion in the state, the meeting, held on a field under ankle deep water and slush after unusually heavy showers under overcast sky and continuing rains, was a huge success! And the unexpectedly high turnout of lakhs of people under such adverse conditions was a revelation to many including the present writer. Even the CPI(M) mouthpiece ended up commenting on the large size of the crowd.

“Mamata succeeded amazingly when everybody expected her July 21 annual show to flop miserably, that is the surest sign of her enduring popularity. There is just no one else in the state, no other leader, who could attract such a big crowd under such cyclonic weather! This must be a first for West Bengal,” said an observer.

This is what political opponents and critics like Chatterjee tend to overlook. People came to the ground from the districts, distant and far, by trains, trucks, buses and ferries, although bad weather had affected transport. Some had camped at the Salt lake stadium and elsewhere, in pouring rains that continued incessantly for nearly 36 hours, as low-lying roads resembled rivers. They came shouting slogans, carrying their TMC flags, men and women, but mostly youths.

True, the meeting deviated from its usual script. The occasion is observed to pay tributes to the memory of 13 youth Congress activists who were killed in police firing on the day in 1993. The Chief Minister was Mr Jyoti Basu, while Mr. Manish Gupta, the TMC candidate who defeated Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee in the 2011 Assembly elections, was the Chief Secretary.

However, this year the TMC was also celebrating its magnificent victory over the Left front, so a measure of heart cheers was expected. As the only leader who spoke for 40 minutes, Ms Banerjee nevertheless delivered a political message as well. She stressed the need for development, discipline, hard work and sincerity. She called for an end to violence and political clashes. She stressed communal harmony and outlined her priorities in development — no forcible land acquisition, building of infrastructure, need for financial help from the centre, new jobs for people, stress on health and education and the like.

Mr. Chatterjee and other left leaders, in their eagerness to score points, had obviously ignored this part of the proceedings.

There is no doubt though that what attracted eye-balls to TV channels telecasting the proceedings was the unrehearsed, spontaneous remarks and performance of the galaxy of attending celebrities. Many of the Tollygunge film industry stalwarts and starlets were there, and they brought an element of never-say-die cheer even amidst the gloomy surroundings by the brief lines they spoke, or snatches of songs or dances. Painters, poets, literary figures and educationists followed suit. In earlier years, such people were believed to be exclusively in the left domain, if not actually belonging to left parties themselves. Times had changed. Announcements for minorities and tribals were made.

“I was impressed both by the number of young people in the crowd and their enthusiastic response to the proceedings. Ms Banerjee had taken care to make the occasion as socially inclusive as possible. This is where the left had lost the game. Over the years, they have repeated the same old slogans, carried out routine programmes on May 1 where fewer and fewer people now turn up, mostly old timers. The young generation simply has no memory of Tebhaga, Viet Nam war and even the Emergency. It is not as though the young have no interest in politics, or why they came on July 21? The world has moved on, but not for the Bengal-based Left. In their hoary emphasis on the class struggle as the only political reality, they offend most non-left people. No wonder, their protest programmes hardly draw their own followers these days,” said a political analyst.

In some ways it would have been better if the CPI(M) State Committee meeting was held here after July 21. Party leaders could have discussed and analysed their own rejection by the people, especially by the younger generation, with more seriousness and urgency. As of now, they have found no way out of the political wilderness that confronts them, They must rediscover their earlier relevance by acting meaningfully and effectively, not just restrict themselves to analyzing events logically. (IPA Service)