Voting completed in crucial West Bengal polls
Thursday, 12 May 2011
Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury
The sixth and final phase of the crucial elections in the Indian state of West Bengal was completed on May 10, leaving in animated suspense till the results are announced on May 13 as to who would be at the helm in the coming days - the ruling left Front or the opposition. The staggered voting that began on April 18 is particularly significant for the reason that never before in the last nearly three and half decades, the state assembly polls generated the kind of interest and uncertainty that are being witnessed this time. The balloting that is seen crucially important for a variety of reasons and the heavyweights of the Indian political scene--Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, her son Rahul Gandhi, a general secretary of the Congress, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and other senior party leaders - all were very much in the thick of the campaign in the state. However, the Congress party is no longer a force to reckon with in the state, but of late it is improving its position. The focus is evidently on Mamata Baneerjee, leader of the Trinamul Congress, an organisation confined only within West Bengal, but is making a strong presence, so much so, that an impression exists that the party is almost on the doorstep of winning the current elections and coming to power. Mamata herself led the opposition bandwagon and is clearly eyeing the post of chief minister of the state although she is presently holding an important portfolio as federal minister of railways. The Congress and the Trinamul have reached a seat adjustment in the 294-seat "Bidhan Shaba" with the major partner Trinamul leaving 65 seats for the Congress. The ruling Left Front, a combination of several leftists organizations led by Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI (M), is struggling hard this time to retain its political ascendancy in West Bengal, where it has won all the seven previous elections beginning in1977. Chief Minister Bhuddadev Bhattacharaya faces an uphill task this time as the opponents feel the days of communist rule in the state is on the verge of an end. But the leftist are seeking to put a brave face, saying only the verdict of the voters would show that the politically advanced state would continue to prefer the progressive forces. Both sides are desperate - one to retain power and the other to wrest it and it remains to be seen who would have the last laugh when the results would be announced on May 13. The West Bengal developments are also a matter of great interest in Bangladesh obviously for the geographical and other proximities while the voting is also evoking immense interest outside India. The communists in West Bengal are a source of inspiration for the leftists not only in India but outside because of their success in retaining power for years through the democratic process. The last phase of voting covered several districts and areas like West Dinajpur, Bakura and Purulia and importantly, the sensitive "Jangalmahal", known for radical leftists opposed to the elections. Heavy security measures were taken for ensuring the balloting in this area. The communists are missing legendary leader Jyoti Basu, who had led the leftists in coming to power and remained at the helm of the state government till a few years ago when he relinquished voluntarily on health grounds. Basu died last year and his mantle is being carried by Bhuddadev ,who is leading the leftists well, but faces a tough job this time. The elections are most hard fought in West Bengal and billed as "Change or Return ?"- meaning whether the state will go for changing the guards in governance or return those who are there for long 34 years. Many feel that the chances are bright for a change while many also feel that the leftists may be able to cling to power once again with much reduced strength. The ruling Left Front controlled an unassailable 235 seats in the 294-seat state assembly while the opposition parties cut a sorry figure in the successive polls in the state over the years since the appearance of the communists in the state government in 1977. But things have changed rather quite fast over the last three years when the Trinamul Congress and its mercurial leader Mamata Banerjee achieved impressive gains in the last federal (Lokshaba) polls and subsequently in the municipal polls, dealing severe blows to the communists. Mamata achieved this success in collusion with the Congress of the Sonia Gandhi, which is also being benefited from the alliance with the Trinamul. Both the parties are die-hard opponents of the communists and allege that their misrule has ruined West Bengal. On the other hand, the leftist claim the state has experienced many a mass welfare- oriented development programmes that have immensely favoured the common people. All eyes are now fixed on the outcome of the polls and the main players of the political spectrum are now resting from the grueling campaign and electioneering as calm descended with the completion of the balloting. But security forces remain alert for any untoward situation that may emerge with the announcement of the results. The leftists are known for their support in the rural areas while the Trinamul and allies for the influence in the urban areas. State capital Kolkata is known as a stronghold of the Trinamul as the party won the prestigious position of city Mayor last time wresting it from the CPI(M) which is the main leftist party. No wave as such is discernible in favour of any party in the state polls, but the Trinamul is riding the crest of recent successes and believes it is now very close to state power. The ruling front says it would remain at the helm as its vast following in the rural areas would continue to return them to power. West Bengal, for that matter India and even outside world - Bangladesh not excluded, remain agog with speculations for the outcome of the elections. (The writer can be reached at e-mail : zaglulbss@yahoo.com)
The sixth and final phase of the crucial elections in the Indian state of West Bengal was completed on May 10, leaving in animated suspense till the results are announced on May 13 as to who would be at the helm in the coming days - the ruling left Front or the opposition. The staggered voting that began on April 18 is particularly significant for the reason that never before in the last nearly three and half decades, the state assembly polls generated the kind of interest and uncertainty that are being witnessed this time. The balloting that is seen crucially important for a variety of reasons and the heavyweights of the Indian political scene--Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, her son Rahul Gandhi, a general secretary of the Congress, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and other senior party leaders - all were very much in the thick of the campaign in the state. However, the Congress party is no longer a force to reckon with in the state, but of late it is improving its position. The focus is evidently on Mamata Baneerjee, leader of the Trinamul Congress, an organisation confined only within West Bengal, but is making a strong presence, so much so, that an impression exists that the party is almost on the doorstep of winning the current elections and coming to power. Mamata herself led the opposition bandwagon and is clearly eyeing the post of chief minister of the state although she is presently holding an important portfolio as federal minister of railways. The Congress and the Trinamul have reached a seat adjustment in the 294-seat "Bidhan Shaba" with the major partner Trinamul leaving 65 seats for the Congress. The ruling Left Front, a combination of several leftists organizations led by Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI (M), is struggling hard this time to retain its political ascendancy in West Bengal, where it has won all the seven previous elections beginning in1977. Chief Minister Bhuddadev Bhattacharaya faces an uphill task this time as the opponents feel the days of communist rule in the state is on the verge of an end. But the leftist are seeking to put a brave face, saying only the verdict of the voters would show that the politically advanced state would continue to prefer the progressive forces. Both sides are desperate - one to retain power and the other to wrest it and it remains to be seen who would have the last laugh when the results would be announced on May 13. The West Bengal developments are also a matter of great interest in Bangladesh obviously for the geographical and other proximities while the voting is also evoking immense interest outside India. The communists in West Bengal are a source of inspiration for the leftists not only in India but outside because of their success in retaining power for years through the democratic process. The last phase of voting covered several districts and areas like West Dinajpur, Bakura and Purulia and importantly, the sensitive "Jangalmahal", known for radical leftists opposed to the elections. Heavy security measures were taken for ensuring the balloting in this area. The communists are missing legendary leader Jyoti Basu, who had led the leftists in coming to power and remained at the helm of the state government till a few years ago when he relinquished voluntarily on health grounds. Basu died last year and his mantle is being carried by Bhuddadev ,who is leading the leftists well, but faces a tough job this time. The elections are most hard fought in West Bengal and billed as "Change or Return ?"- meaning whether the state will go for changing the guards in governance or return those who are there for long 34 years. Many feel that the chances are bright for a change while many also feel that the leftists may be able to cling to power once again with much reduced strength. The ruling Left Front controlled an unassailable 235 seats in the 294-seat state assembly while the opposition parties cut a sorry figure in the successive polls in the state over the years since the appearance of the communists in the state government in 1977. But things have changed rather quite fast over the last three years when the Trinamul Congress and its mercurial leader Mamata Banerjee achieved impressive gains in the last federal (Lokshaba) polls and subsequently in the municipal polls, dealing severe blows to the communists. Mamata achieved this success in collusion with the Congress of the Sonia Gandhi, which is also being benefited from the alliance with the Trinamul. Both the parties are die-hard opponents of the communists and allege that their misrule has ruined West Bengal. On the other hand, the leftist claim the state has experienced many a mass welfare- oriented development programmes that have immensely favoured the common people. All eyes are now fixed on the outcome of the polls and the main players of the political spectrum are now resting from the grueling campaign and electioneering as calm descended with the completion of the balloting. But security forces remain alert for any untoward situation that may emerge with the announcement of the results. The leftists are known for their support in the rural areas while the Trinamul and allies for the influence in the urban areas. State capital Kolkata is known as a stronghold of the Trinamul as the party won the prestigious position of city Mayor last time wresting it from the CPI(M) which is the main leftist party. No wave as such is discernible in favour of any party in the state polls, but the Trinamul is riding the crest of recent successes and believes it is now very close to state power. The ruling front says it would remain at the helm as its vast following in the rural areas would continue to return them to power. West Bengal, for that matter India and even outside world - Bangladesh not excluded, remain agog with speculations for the outcome of the elections. (The writer can be reached at e-mail : zaglulbss@yahoo.com)