The campaign for the 16th Lok Sabha polls, which has already entered a very intensive phase throughout the state, is a unique experience for more than one reason. For the first time the elections are going to be held in the backdrop of nearly three years of TMC autocracy. The bitter experiences of the violence-marred panchayat and municipal elections held under the same dispensation are still fresh in the minds of the people. The ruling TMC threw democratic norms to the winds during the elections to the school managing committees, students unions and academic bodies in colleges and universities, co-operatives etc.
The brutality of the regime is revealed by the fact that since May 2011, when the regime was sworn in, a total of 146 CPI(M) activists have been killed, 40,000 party workers have been evicted from their houses, and nearly 20 thousand party workers implicated in false cases. During the campaign for the panchayat poll alone, 25 activists of the Left parties were murdered by TMC goons.
Immediately after the announcement of its list of candidates on March 5, the Left Front went into campaign mode. The LF had by that time already organized hundreds of meeting of its workers in all constituencies explaining to them the main campaign points and important political issues. The CPI (M) West Bengal state committee has brought out seven booklets highlighting relevant political issues and exposing the horrible misdeeds of the TMC government.
The CPI (M) state committee also opened its official FaceBook and Twitter accounts, both of which have already created a significant impact. Young party activists are actively involved in the Party’s online campaign.
As opposed to this, the TMC is splurging money. On the eve of the election notification, the state government released a series of advertisements full of false claims, while also blaming the previous LF government for their utter failure in every field. Expensive billboards focusing on the TMC were put up at government expense throughout the state. So-called stars and page-3 celebrities have been drafted for the campaign.
The LF this time has fielded 26 new candidates, with over ten candidates below the age of 40. Six among the 42 LF candidates are women. An adivasi has been fielded from a general seat. While selecting candidates the LF has taken into account the political background and commitment of the candidates, tested role in public life and acceptability among the people.
On the contrary, the TMC is fielding candidates divorced from public and political life. This is understandable. The discerning public will scrutinize the performance of both the TMC government as well as the performance of its outgoing MPs. Apart from ad nauseam repeating the oft repeated promises and indulging in false accusations against the Left which the people are getting tired of, allegations of corruption against its top leaders has only added to the TMC’s cup of woes. No wonder it has take cover behind celebrities.
The BJP, struggling to make its presence felt is also banking on celebrities in some constituencies. While pretending to oppose the TMC, the BJP state unit is unable to hide its covert alliance with the TMC.
The Congress Party, fighting with its back to the wall given its failure to address vital issues like rising prices, rampant corruption, unemployment, crisis in the agricultural sector etc. It’s association with the TMC as a good servant but a bad master has pushed it into pitiable condition without any chance of recovery in the state, with the later weakening, rather browbeating the Congress in all the districts.
The 16th Lok Sabha poll in West Bengal highlights importantly a fight to restore democracy and democratic rights. Against huge money and muscle power of the TMC and it’s all-out terror tactics, the LF is fighting with the growing mass support. There is an increasing awareness that a decisive victory of LF candidates will strengthen the prospective Left democratic and secular alternative nationwide and will translate the people’s earnest urge for a secular pro-people non-Congress, non-BJP democratic Government at the Centre.