Buddhadeb's Real Challenge

by Deepak Roy from Kolkata
March 9, 2011

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/1318/buddhadeb-real-challenge

The Election Commission of India announced the dates for the West Bengal's Legislative assembly polls longest ever to be held in six – phases from April 18 and that will end on May 10, on Friday the 13^th counting to get answer whether World's longest regime will be dislodged or further new history by again forming Left front government for eighth terms. This year's election is very crucial to all concerns those are involved – big challenge has emerged from opposition party Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee , also a toughest challenge before the Election Commission to hold a free, fair and peaceful polls. The chief Election Commissioner of India S.Y. Quraishi while declared the polls dates said "we have finalised the dates taking into account the ground realities and the prevailing Law-and-order situation in some disturbed areas of the state".

This year's election going to be held under a turmoil situation. According to the Election Commission sources – nearly 40 percent of the total 70,000 – odd booths were vulnerable. One phase of election will cover Maoist – affected constituencies, this time the problem was appeared to be shaded of blood as on the ongoing turf war between Left front's main component – Communist Party of India Marxist (CPIM) and the Maoist, in larger context of a Maoist – Trinamul congress nexus in 3 districts. The Election commission had deputed observers in January this year for ascertaining on ground situation across West Bengal, observers visited all districts and on the merits of their reports it was decided to hold its longest – ever elections. At least 800 companies of Central forces were needed, over 650 companies will be deployed in the polls areas and remaining forces shall remain standby for any immediate eventual requirements.

In West Bengal first Left front government under the chief minister ship of veteran Marxist Jyoti Basu taken oath on June 21, 1977, after assumption in power the Left front had consolidated various reforms included revolutionary land reforms which paved them ways in continuing reign the state for consecutive seven terms, in fact in last seven elections the Left front swiped clear and overwhelming mandate from the masses.

In the state total land having 88.75 lakh hectares of which 55.88 lakh hectares are agricultural land and 32.87 lakh hectares uncultivable – out of which 20 percent forest and balance 80 percent of industries, housing, road & highways , educational institutions, public utility services, rivers, canals, ponds and barren land. West Bengal produces approximately 125 lakh tons paddy in 54 lakh hectares, 75 – 80 lakh tons of potato in 3 lakh hectares, 150,000 tons of vegetables grown in 70 – 75,000 hectares, the state has yet to attain actual food security, it produces about 11 percent surplus rice and 40 percent surplus vegetables but it is 50 percent deficient in wheat, 75 percent short in pulses and has to buy over 60 percent of oilseeds from other states. According to the experts for food security, one small farmer should have at least 12 decimals (8 cattahs) of land; In West Bengal a farmer holds 16 decimals. The greatest achievement of the Left front government that about 12 lakh hectares agricultural land were distributed to the landless peasants comprises over 30 lakh families, introduction of 'operation barga' to resist eviction of share – copper, abolition of blood sucking money lending business. The socio – economic conditions of the state were radically changed, moreover the Left front government introduced 3 tier Panchayet systems, firstly to de-centralise administration and for involvement of rural masses in to the administrative affairs. The first Panchayet election was held on June 4, 1978 for 55,952 representatives by direct franchise of rural population, it was the first ever representative system in India and land reforms were launched through these panchayets.

The West Bengal politics produced very versatile and dynamic politicians like Bidhanchandra Ray, Prafulla Sen, Prafulla Ghosh, Jyoti Basu who had patriotism and love for the soil and close links to the toiling masses. The current chief minister – Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee also a rare example and uncommon face of Third – world politicians, his austerity and simple live –living made an image in this time – befitting sensual period. He lives in a low – income group (LIG) flat measured 700 square feet in a south Kolkata's congested localities with his wife Meera and environment activist daughter - Suchetana in last 24 years, security threat was posed to stay in this flat and even Delhi had several times advised him to shift and he had always ignored security threat. It was unbelievable, till early 2000 he had no fridge at home. In election of 2006, Buddhadeb's declared assets were : cash – nil, Meera's Rs. 3,550.00 Bank balance – nil, Meera's Rs. 20,764.00 Rs. 12,046.00 in a joint account with daughter Suchetana, Investment – nil, Merra's – PPF Rs. 6.3 lakh, Post office deposits – Rs. 1.20 lakh, small deposits totalling Rs. 2.35 lakh, jewellery – nil, Meera's – 685 gms of antique gold ornaments worth Rs. 3.75 lakh, other gold ornaments worth Rs. 1.25 lakh, 8 kgs of silver utensils worth Rs. 99,600.00, House – none, car and land – none. His wife – Meera till recent worked in a private consultancy company as a Librarian and these acquisition of assets originated from her salary. Surprisingly, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had no any bank account. His bitter critic could never raise question of his honesty, once in the mid 90s he quitted the ministry in a huff by a remark made by his mentor Jyoti Basu, it was for a short while and he was re-inducted into cabinet, later on made him deputy chief minister for becoming successor of Jyoti Basu. Despite a teeming communist, his sincerity, honesty, vision, transparency and action – oriented qualities made him as the 'best chief minister in the country'; the poster boy of the Marxist in this election will appear in an exam which was never happened to his long political career. The widespread protests and violence across the state by Mamata Banerjee and her supporters caught Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee in a tough situation. The 13^th May is being pregnant and to see what it delivers.

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