It is the harvesting season for potatoes and garlic in West Bengal. But the farmers in the state, like those in most parts of the country, are in distress because of low earnings from the crops. Young men from remote villages of Bengal are leaving the state to work as migrant labourers.
But, with the Lok Sabha elections approaching, politically-motivated Bengalis are slowly returning to the state to take part in poll campaigning. In Islampur, a small town in Murshidabad, for instance, several hundreds of CPI(M) workers have gathered in a mango orchard. This marks the commencement of Mohammed Salim's campaign, where he, the party's state secretary and politburo member, is contesting from the Murshidabad parliamentary constituency with the backing of the Congress.
The opening day of the election campaign saw a massive turnout of party members, with red flags flying everywhere and a palpable sense of joy among the attendees. A young leader delivered a fiery speech, declaring, "Times have changed. If TMC goons attack, we know how to handle it," prompting applause from the audience.
“See the crowd. This is the resurgence of CPI(M) in Bengal," a confident Mohammed Salim told THE WEEK. His nomination in Murshidabad, a district where 63 per cent of the voters belong to the minority community, will undoubtedly pose a substantial challenge to the TMC candidate and the incumbent MP, Abu Thaher Khan. Known for his sober style, Salim commands a significant following among neutral voters, too.
It is a fact that CPI(M), which ruled West Bengal continuously for 34 years but later experienced a shocking decline with zero presence in both the assembly and Parliament (from West Bengal), is gradually regaining trust among minority voters. The Panchayat elections in 2023 provided a ray of hope to the Left parties, although they are yet to demonstrate their ability to mobilise the electorate to win a general election. The combined vote share of the Left, Congress, and the Indian Secular Front (ISF), which was a mere 10 per cent in the 2021 assembly election, has now surpassed the 20 per cent mark in the panchayat election. The DYFI, the youth wing of the party, organised a massive rally at Brigade Parade Ground early this year, where thousands of party workers gathered, making it one of the largest political gatherings in the city in recent times.
Salim is optimistic about the electoral understanding with the Congress— although they prefer not to call it an alliance—along with other Left parties and anti-BJP and anti-TMC forces, which he believes will showcase their strength. During Salim's election meeting, several TMC workers from the minority community joined the CPI(M).
People attend Mohammed Salim's election rally in Islampur | Javed Parvesh
The elections in West Bengal are scheduled in seven phases, with Murshidabad going to polls on May 7, in the third phase. Excerpts from an interview:
Q/ Is CPI(M) in Bengal on the path of resurgence? Can the large number of party workers gathered here indicate a revival?
A/ Resurgent Bengal, revamped Left, and a rejuvenated CPI(M) – this is what you are witnessing now. This is not virtual but a reality. It's good that you visited and saw the truth. For the last several years, we have been attacked, jailed, faced many false cases, and many were forced to leave their homes and livelihoods. Despite that, the CPI(M) is rejuvenated to save Bengal and this country from the RSS-led BJP government.
Q/ Will the huge turnouts, like what saw at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, translate into votes?
A/ No other political party in Bengal now has the courage to mobilise such a huge crowd in Brigade Parade ground. There is a deep sentimental attachment to the Parade ground within the Communist Party. The Insaaf yatra that took place on January 7 was not led by the Left Front or CPI(M) but by the DYFI. However, workers, peasants, teachers, and others supported it. Subsequently, TMC, utilising state government power and the police and civil administration, attempted to hold a rally in the parade ground but it turned out to be a damp squib. Similarly, a programme conducted by BJP, RSS, and other combined forces also fizzled out. As you mentioned, mobilising people is one thing, but mobilising them at the booth level and mastering the art of electioneering is another.
Now, after a decade, the CPI(M) has a well-oiled election machinery. Apart from the Left Front, we are mobilising parties and organisations that claim to be against BJP and TMC. That's why Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is contesting in Baharampur with our support, and I am here in Murshidabad. It's not just the leaders sticking together; the people are also united. We have a long way to go. The anti-incumbency sentiment against TMC and people's anger towards BJP over issues like CAA, Electoral Bonds and corruption are significant factors.
Q/ Why did the opposition alliance INDIA fail in Bengal—the ruling party TMC is not part of it? Moreover, Mamata Banerjee accuses Congress of being controlled by CPI(M). Does this align with your earlier statement that the TMC truly desired a CPI(M)-mukt Bengal and a Congress-mukt India?
A/ That is where the TMC and BJP are aligning, both ideologically and politically. This is why Mamata Banerjee and the entire TMC's effort is focused on mobilising her own people and garnering support for the RSS ideology in Bengal. For over two decades, she has navigated this strategy cleverly, creating a false impression in the national media that she is fighting against the BJP when, in reality, BJP is her natural ally. Both BJP and TMC are party-centric around individuals – Modi for BJP and Mamata for TMC. Initially, Mamata formed a Maha Jod with 21 parties, but where are these parties now? Both BJP and TMC struggle to maintain alliances; they operate in an individualistic and isolated manner, despite occasionally portraying themselves as part of alliances.
It's not that the INDIA alliance failed; rather, Mamata disembarked from the train before reaching the destination. TMC's current strange equation with BJP suggests they could be potential allies in the future.
Q/ There are issues within the Left front. For example, in Purulia, according to discussions with the CPI(M), the Congress has fielded their working president, while All India Forward Bloc is not ready to vacate the seat for Congress. How do you plan to tackle this? Will there be a friendly contest between the Left and the Congress?
A/ Two candidates from the BJP have decided to contest in a single constituency in Modi’s Gujarat. Similarly, there are numerous issues within the TMC. If a single party is facing so many problems, given that we are several parties, there are bound to be some challenges. For the first time in Bengal, in 42 seats, there is some form of seat adjustment with parties other than the Left, Congress, and ISF. We are united in our effort to combat hindutva and corruption. The future battle in this country is between communal forces versus communists. There is no tolerance for corruption. While there may be some overlap in seat sharing, we will address this issue through discussions.
Q/ It is commonly said that the CPI(M), being a cadre-based party, guarantees its votes to Congress during seat adjustments. However, the Congress appears to struggle to ensure its party members' votes for the CPI(M), especially considering the historical memories of brutality against Congress workers during the Left rule. What is the reality?
A/ It's good that you used the word "reality". Which reality should we focus on? The reality of the 70s, the 90s, or the reality of the last century? The accusations you made belong to the past. We don’t want to be prisoners of the past. We are currently working in the present for the future, aiming to protect the future of this country based on the golden principles and legacy of the freedom struggle. Despite our differences with the Congress, we share a common history of fighting against the British colonial rule. Our paths may differ, but our goal was the same. Now, it is to remove the RSS-led BJP government from power. For Marxists, reality is defined by the current situation, addressing the challenges faced by both the country and Bengal today.
Q/ Given that the CPI(M)-led Left government ruled Bengal for decades, but the party doesn’t have a single MLA in the assembly now, do you believe that certain things could have been avoided in the past? For example, compromising with capitalist forces?
A/ It is commonly believed that reflecting on the past makes humans wiser. However, I prefer not to dwell on the past. Every decision made at that time has been evaluated by the party and is in the public domain. Setbacks often lead to learning experiences for people. Over the past 10 years, we have been correcting ourselves. We are adhering to the decisions made in the party congress and the last state committee meeting. Inviting industrialists and promoting industries are not compromising with capitalism. If it did, the CPI(M) would have benefited from electoral bonds. We are the only party that rejected electoral bonds and took the matter to court. We stand against the corporate-communal nexus. It is incorrect to say that the CPI(M) in Bengal compromised with capitalists. In fact, in 2011, many corporates funded the TMC through BJP under the patronage of the RSS, which aimed to eliminate the Left.
Q/ Is there an election arrangement with ISF?
A/ As of now, I cannot say anything. We do not have a formal agreement. We also have a few disagreements. Like a tailor, we are trying to stitch unity custom-made.
Q/ Both the CPI(M) and the Congress say that there is no alliance but only seat adjustment. Can we expect to see Mohammed Salim and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury leading a rally together?
A/ Why just a rally? A series of rallies will be conducted.
Q/ What will be the result of this election, and what are anti-BJP and anti-TMC parties expecting?
A/ I am not a fortune-teller. Look at the expressions on people's faces. Observe the reactions after releasing the first and second candidate lists, and witness the mobilisation of cadres. Also, see the desperation in both the BJP and the TMC camps.
