As far as the CPI(M) is concerned, its leadership cannot wholeheartedly concentrate on political issues relating to Bengal only, with preparations in full swing for their party Congress in Kerala . Documents, reports and analyses on most issues confronting the party at the national, international and state level are being finalised. Lower level conferences at the local committee level(LC) have been planned. In view of the present “unsatisfactory law and order situation” in Bengal, as party cadres and supporters face attacks by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) activists, the grassroot branch level conferences have been abandoned.

Recently in Burdwan, a scheduled LC conference could not be held as the police disallowed the meeting on certain technicalities. The CPI(M) protested, but its reaction did not generate much public support.

In fact the lack of public enthusiasm or support for the left-sponsored opposition programmes of late has been a major concern for left parties. Despite having nearly three lakh card holding members in the state, CPI(M) leaders have indicated that it may not be possible for them to put up candidates for all areas in the coming panchayat elections next year. Over 50,000 people are elected to the three-tier panchayat bodies in regularly scheduled elections in the state.

Ironically, the left parties are in the same position as the non left opposition parties like the TMC and the Congress, which in 2003 panchayat polls and even later, could not put up candidates in as many as 30% of the seats , mainly on account of left-encouraged intimidation. The wheel seems to have come a full circle.

With the CPI(M) leaders busy with their own programmes, leaders of the Forward bloc, the RSP or the CPI have not been able to launch any independent programmes either---except for a Bloc-sponsored jail bharo agitation in some parts of the country.

Within the CPI(M) again, opinions have differed as to whether the party should go in for an all-out agitation against the TMC-Congress alliance, or allow the new government some more time to function. Leaders like Dr Suryakanta Mishra have generally done a good job , putting up a good fight in the state assembly and projecting a reasonable sober “left” image.

On the other hand, his colleague Mr, Gautam Deb, with his controversial style of taking on the government, have been following a different, over-aggressive tack. Significantly,, while Dr Mishra had won an assembly seat, Mr. Deb could not. In any case the recent jail bharo programme and some protest marches sponsored by the CPI(M) and the CITU on different issues have not attracted much public support. And recent controversial comments and “antics” of party secretary Mr, Biman Bose, widely shown on many TV channels, were universally condemned by people.

This is not to suggest that the TMC-Congress Ministry is performing well, six months into its tenure. Far from it. It has not yet presented a proper budget, running the state on ad hoc vote-on-account statements of its finances. Its rigid policy of not acquiring land, nor helping others to do so, even for infra-structure has virtually stopped industrial investment. Work of the crucial power department may collapse any day, with the government not allowing any further tariff revision of power consumption. Proposed railway projects have hit the land acquisition hurdle as feared by observers, a fallout of Ms Mamata Banerjee’s anti acquisition obsession.

Given the rudderless, direction-less drift of the state administration, it is something of a wonder that the left cannot yet mobilize any mass support for its agitational programmes. Some observers attribute this to a fatigue on part of the older citizens of the state, who have sustained and fought over their demands for years, largely without much effect. As for the young generation, most are not much interested in the political issues of the day, unlike what happened in the past.

Meanwhile, maverick Marxist leader Mr, Rezzak Mollah has tried to launch a new body of Muslims and Dalits, claiming the initiative to be autonomous from his activities within the CPI(M). The enigmatic Mr. Mollah also met Chief Minister Ms Banerjee at the state secretariat, fuelling some speculation. Even as observers wondered whether Mr, Mollah was planning to strike out a different political route from his present party, it seemed they need not have worried. His inaugural meeting of dalits and Muslims flopped resoundingly, with only about 30% of the seats full in the central Kolkata auditorium. (IPA Service)