Emergence of BJP as a fomidable contestant in W.Bengal Elections.

In the results of two by elections the impact of Saradha scam is not that palpable as expected. Although the urban voters of Basirhat South have unequivocally given mandate against TMC, but the rural counterparts have gone the other way round. Again, it’s difficult to say if this urban mandate can be attributed primarily to Saradha Scam or to other activities of the ruling party that have drawn flak from different corners in recent times. In Chowrange, TMC has done reasonably well. Perhaps the party didn’t even expect it’d do so well. True, division of votes among BJP, Congress and CPM, though CPM has fared miserably, has paved the way for victory of TMC easier. However, such things are very common in elections, particularly when a multi cornered contest takes place. The unique feature of these by polls is the emergence of BJP as the most powerful contestant against the ruling party. The victory of BJP at Basirhat South, though not by a big margin, despite all-out efforts of the TMC leaders to win the seat sends a loud and clear message to the ruling party that BJP would pose the most formidable contestant in electoral fray in days ahead. It’s also unique that for the first time BJP has opened its account in West Bengal Assembly contesting alone.However, there’s a tough time ahead of BJP too. To take on TMC effectively in coming polls it should gear up its organization whole heatedly and on war footing as well. The civic polls are breathing down the neck. It may be noted, if TMC makes an alliance with Congress before 2016 Assembly polls ,which is not unlikely in the present context, task of winning elections would prove all the more difficult for BJP.

A changing Stance!

Mamata meets Left delegation: Mamata has agreed to meet the Left whom she’d no speaking terms for couple of years and spewed venom on CPM in particular whenever opportunity came. CPM was her main adversary. Now the Left pose a very weak opponent, so is Congress. Hence Mamata has changed her stance and seems to have decided to soft pedal these weak forces while gathering momentum to wage full fledged war against the strong emerging opponent BJP which might be a potential game changer in the 2016 Assembly polls. In fact, political scenario has undergone sea change following Modi’s mind-boggling performance in LS polls. Little did Mamata like many others envisage such a phenomenal success of Modi.However, now an attempt to patch up relation with Modi that turned abjectly sour during LS polls might cost her Muslim vote bank which she can ill afford. So she’s to continue her anti-Modi posture till Assembly election. Again, Mamata likes to see Congress and the Left in particular which has still a sizable vote bank even after disaster in LS polls, as political forces to reckon with to poll anti TMC votes in their favour and not allowing them to go over to BJP’s coffer. Incidentally, Mamata has bagged as many as 34 LS seats this time only by polling 39% vote and the remaining 61% vote has gone to the opponent.

Bewildering Youth!

Felicitation of KKR at Eden: KKR’s victory celebration could take many lives due to stampede. For God’s sake it didn’t happen. It was confined to only injuries big or small. It was sea of humanity both inside and outside the stadium. Many pass holders were denied entry into the venue of the function while those without pass made their way inside. It was acme of mismanagement. Many sustained injuries due to lathi charge by police. Interestingly, the youths, gathered in thousands at Eden not to enjoy cricket but to have the glimpse of Bollywood Star Saha Rukh Khan in particular along with other Tollywood stars as well.Saha Rukh is also a co-owner of KKR which has virtually no association with the state or its capital except the name ‘Kolkata’.In fact, what else can our youths do ? They’ve nothing to look forward to; most of them have bleak future ahead. So they rush in thousands even in week days to enjoy whatever entertainment they’re offered to even staking their lives. It’s the best way to opiate them and thus alienate them from stark realities of life. What a wastage of youth forces!

Public money in private celebration!

IPL(2014) victory Celebration: Kolkata Knight Rider (KKR) is one of the franchise teams of Indian Premier League (IPL), a T-20 cricket tournament. It’s owned by Bollywood star Shaha Rukh Khan along with Juhi Chawla and her husband Jay Meheta.It’s totally a private tournament and has, in fact, no connection with the state. Association of ‘Kolkata’ with the name of the team is only coincidental and does not mean it’s a Kolkata team either. However, incidentally King Khan is the brand ambassador Bengal.It’s, of course, altogether a different story. Nevertheless the state almost officially bash in the glory of KKR’s wining the IPL trophy. What’s more, the State celebrates the victory at the expense of public exchequer.This year CM will dash to Kolkata from Darjeeling hiring a private plane that costs lacs of rupees cutting short her normal schedule to participate in the celebration. On earlier occasion even guv took part in the celebration.It's high time to pause and ponder why public money would be so lavishly spent for purely private entertainment.

High time to intervene!

BJP delegates from Delhi along with their state counterparts visited Sandeshkhali yesterday to meet people there and see for themselves how the BJP supporters were attacked allegedly by Trinomool activists armed with bombs and fire weapons as they’d celebrated massive victory of Narendra Modi in LS polls. They also met the BJP victims who were admitted to SSKM hospitals after sustaining bullet and other injuries. The delegates made it loud and clear that BJP won’t take such assault on their supporters lying down any more and it might mean counter attack or embarking on legal measures to stop this menace. As law and order is a state subject, but for the cooperation of the state administration no legal action can be taken against the miscreants. It’s alleged police administration fails to rein in the anti socials for reasons best known to them. So only option left with the BJP supporters is fend for themselves.But it’s not at all a desirable proposition as it simply means taking law in one’s own hand and it might lead to wide spread violence either. So it’s high time CM could intervene and sort out the problem by negotiation with BJP leaders across the table.CPI(M) too has the same contention as their party supporters are also attacked allegedly by TMC goons.Happily,CM has reportedly agreed to meet CPI(M) leaders on June 9 to discuss the matter.

A comment on G.K.Gandhi's open letter to Modi!

Gopal Krishna Gandhi is afraid of Mod’s ascending to power at center. To him perhaps Modi means riot and communal disharmony.Modi means rule by RSS in disguise.Modi means Hindutva.Modi means dismantling the secular fabric of India. No, his fear seems unfounded and imaginary.Modi’s is a man with vision and mission. He’s a man with courage and conviction. He’s practical and workaholic as well. He’s not swayed by emotion only. Nor Modi is a man to play communal card seated at the highest echelon of power that would lead to ethnic violence. In fact, Modi is made of sterner stuff. His rising to power despite stiff opposition by none other than many of his very powerful party colleagues is a phenomenon in itself. It’s the rarest of the rare instances a man born in a very poor family, who even acted as a tea vendor in his boyhood, has become the Prime minister of the largest democracy on earth with massive mandate.Modi knows the plight of the poor than any body else.Mr.Gandhi, I do hope, he’ll not disappoint us as you apprehend. Nevertheless let us wait and watch before we pass any remark on him.

Vote bank politics!

It’s the best of times for Mamata Banerjee.She’s bagged 34 seats in LS polls. It’s the worst of time for her too. Her arch rival Narendra Modi’s party BJP has clenched whopping 282 seats alone and NDA reached a mind boggling number 332.It’s absolutely gone contrary to her expectation of ‘hung parliament’ which could help her play a pivotal role in national politics. She’s been rather marginalized in stead. However, her anti-Modi stance has paid her dividend. She’s reaped electoral benefit out of her minority vote bank in a big way. She seems to continue the same stance even now with an eye to 2016 Assembly polls. She’s reportedly contemplating to boycott swearing-in ceremony of NDA govt albeit she has not taken final decision on this count. Unlike Jaylalitha who’s already patched up her frayed relation with Modi perhaps considering the ground reality that strained relation with center stands in the way of developmental activities of the state.But Mamata still sticks to anti-Modi pitch. However, Modi has invited her to Delhi for discussion on problems of her state but Mamata is yet to respond. Her govt is encumbered with huge loan and cash starved. So she needs special financial assistance from center to overcome this stringent situation. Unless she tries to improve her relation with Modi,it’s our state that would suffer most.So the sooner she relent and soften her anti-Modi stance, the better.

BJP Upsurge!

Post LS Polls(2014)Scenario in West Bengal: Once BJP was a rare political species in our state. It was almost a non-entity. Over the last few years it’s, however, gained strength, thanks to the down fall of the Left empire and morbid condition of the state congress.TMC’s misrule, attempts to ignore or marginalize democratic institutions and gag dissenting voices which have alienated the urban upper and lower middle classes from the party have also helped BJP improve its position in the state. Now BJP has made a quantum jump at one go by doubling its strength riding on Modi wave. Although BJP has bagged only 2 seats, its vote share has gone from 9% to almost 19%.BJP is expected to go from strength to strength with the passage of time. Now the party is a formidable force to reckon with.TMC is very much concerned with BJP upsurge. The Left is now a sagging force and its unabated downslide in vote share (nearly 30% in the present polls) since long makes the party bordering on losing its relevance in national politics.Nor are there serious efforts to arrest this trend or make a turn- around. Now the party faces the leadership crisis that it ever did. Most of the leaders have grown sufficiently old to spend time and energy for revival of the party. Now what the party badly needs is infusion of young blood. But the way party activists and even supporters and sympathizers are mercilessly attacked by the TMC over- enthusiasts with none to protect them and the leadership washing their hands off after issuing statement only does not encourage the new young faces to enlist their names in the party, nor do people dare extend their support to the party openly. On the contrary, BJP siphon off the Left workers and swell its rank and file. However, the committed Left workers prefer maintaining low profile to joining BJP.After each debacle in polls, the Left leaders review the causes of dismal performance of the party and prescribe some measures but without any tangible result. If the things are allowed to drift this way the Left would lose much of its relevance in the state politics too. In the 2016 Assembly polls the Left might finish fourth after TMC,BJP and Congress. BJP now fills the vacuum created by the Left. They’re likely to fare well in Calcutta Corporation election which TMC like to dodge now considering BJP’s impressive performance in many assembly segments in Kolkata and freshness of Modi wave. In fact, BJP now posses a great challenge to TMC and this challenge might intensify if NDA can deliver goods at center.

Lakhsma's tryst with destiny!

What a great fall!True,time does not go on an even keel. Lakshman Seth, once an uncrowned prince of East Midanapore, the most influential Citu leader, ruling the roost at Haldia for long , elected MP from Tamluk thrice in a row, a member of CPM state secretariat and above all the most pampered child of Allimuddin street has been ousted from the party. A queer tryst with destiny, indeed! His ouster came in the wake of his indulging in spewing venom on top leadership of his party and heaving praise on Mamata Banejee for prevailing peace at present at Jangal Mahal and hills.He scanthingly criticized Buddha Bahattacharyaya for his weak and improper governance and inept handling of situations including Nandigram episode.He claimed he has been made a scapegoat in Nandigram incident which, in fact, triggered down slide in his political career. His out burst against his own party came in after Allimuddin initiated an enquiry into alleged charges of corruption against him, though the enquiry was kept on hold for the time being perhaps considering resistance from his followers at his own place. He,however, spelt out he’d not renew his party membership and spoke his mind to quit party also. However, his unbearable attitude later left no alternative to Allimuddin but to expel him from the party.What’s unfortunate,when charges of corruption and carping criticism about his authoritarian behavior were doing round long way back, party leadership kept a blind eye to such allegations, if not encouraged them. Wasn’t it too late to put him on the right track?

unfortunate!

That Dev is a debutant in politics is no excuse for his making such a stinking bed-pan joke that has rightly invited vehement protests from all walks of life. He’s tendered apology for his disparaging remark that too after furor made all around but words once spoken can’t be taken back. We do hope his off-the-cuff comment that has kicked storm has not betrayed his perception of barbaric crime like rape and it is simply the slip of the tongue. However, he could use some other suitable metaphor, as Bengali is quite a rich language, to explain his condition after being fielded as a contestant in LS polls for the first time. Hope, he’d not shoot off his mouth too freely in future.

Justice delayed, justice denied!

It’s heartening to note Mumbai Fast Track Court has awarded life imprisonment to the accused in the rape case in very short time. Incidentally, the gang rape victim was a press photographer. True, in some instances court proceedings in rape cases advanced with commendable speed and the culprits brought to justice in a short time as in Mumbai And Delhi.But there’re plethora of instances where case proceeds with snail’s pace and the victims have to wait months together in vain for conviction of the accused. For instance, in West Bengal umpteen incidents of rape cases have so far taken place but sadly in none of the cases the accused has been punished as yet.CM, however, claims there’s no administrative laxity in pursuing the criminal cases like rapes but facts speaks of the half-hearted and casual approach to such brutal crimes against women. Truly speaking, the govt always try to shove these heinous crimes below the carpet lest it should tarnish its image. Police allegedly sometimes slap lighter charges on the accused to let them get off the hook easily.Further CM’s argument that trial in Kamduni rape case was delayed because the relatives of the rape murder victim shifted the case to other court has few takers. She didn’t explain why pronouncement of verdicts in other rape cases are also delayed. Unless the administration takes very stern attitude against these barbaric acts, the accused would walk free nonchalantly after committing crimes to repeat the same again.

Turncoat!

Poet Subodh Sarker; though not a member of Communist Party, was known to be staunch supporter of the Left. He actively took part in the rallies organized by the Left and took anti TMC stance on many issues. But what on earth has changed his mindset overnight and he decided to support the arch rival TMC, that too immediately before LS polls, is a bit difficult to understand. That to repay his debt or show his gratitude to Arpita Ghosh for she stood by him and his only son at the time of crisis when he lost his wife poet Mallicka Sengupta or his long association with Bartya Bose who requested him to extend support to Arpita whom TMC fielded as LS candidate are reasons, he argues, to switch over allegiance to TMC have few takers. The only plausible reason is his inner urge to amble along corridor power like many of his friends as there is apparently a long way to go for the Left to stage a come back.Any way, it smacks of opportunism that any man of principle would look down upon.For Arindam seal another self professed Leftist becoming turncoat, the less said the better. What’s very funny about him is that he claims he’d remain leftist for ever while supporting TMC at the same time.

Wings of ambitions!

Balloon has burst. Anna’s ditched Didi.He’s played ‘Mulayem’ with her. People have marginalized both at Delhi. Truth that Anna’s no more a crowd puller has come to head. It’s hurt his ego.So he ducked behind his ‘failing health’. Of late,Didi’s hopes and aspirations have crystallized into a single mission. It’s to play a pivotal role in Center stage of politics. Perhaps destiny dictates otherwise. Time is not ripe enough to take a plunge right now. Attend to plethora of problems at home.Then look out beyond your home.

Glamourising Polls!

Since Mamata Banerjee came to power she's displayed penchant for world of glamour, particularly fiefdom.So she's often found flanked by film stars.She also adores people from world of music, sports, painting and drama as well.Never before any CM had so much rapport with these so-called non-political personalities some of whom are, however, now overtly politically toned after being chosen to fight Lok Sabha polls as TMC candidates.As she does not like people to be engaged in political debates and discussion about her way of governance, she takes initiative in sponsoring umpteen melas , social functions and festivals throughout the year to keep people in good humour steering them away from the monotony, tears and travails of work-a-day life and above all any adverse criticism of her party and govt.She has virtually reduced the biggest democratic ritual (Lok Sabha election) of the largest democracy on earth to another occasion of festivity in our state by fielding as many as ten celebrities from the world of entertainment. To be a parliamentarian one should have political grooming as well as in depth knowledge of basic problems of the nation in general and those of the constituency he represents in particular.One should read Indian constitution thoroughly well.Otherwise,it's difficult to take part in deliberations in the house of Parliament.Apart from attending the parliament when in session, at other times they're required to attend to the problems of their constituencies and try to solve them with judicious use of money allotted to them for area development(MPLAD). In fact, it's a full time job and MPs must afford sufficient time and energy to do justice to the august assignment of nation building people have entrusted with them through electoral process. .What's more, MPs are handsomely paid from public exchequer, so they should try utmost to deliver goods to people.But the celebrities whom Mamata Banerjee has fielded as candidates in Lok Sabha polls, other things apart,we're afraid, they might not do justice to their endorsement for lack of time.Nor would they be able to render justice to their own profession as well.

Rezzak Molla's ouster!

The expulsion of Rezzak Molla from CPI(M) party was long overdue.Party leadership has ultimately shown courage and wisdom in showing him the door.The Lok Sabha polls breathing down the neck, the poll prospects might suffer.Nevertheless his ouster would send a loud and clear message that nobody is above party and must not indulge in anti party activities.Any member might have difference of opinion with party leaders but he should vent his grievances in party forum and not in public.Any difference in view can be sorted out by discussion and dialogue. . Molla was a veteran member of the party and a member of state secretariat as well.So it's expected he should have behaved with reasons and restrain.In stead, he scathingly criticized CPI(M) in open forum.His invectives were directed to top leaders of the party without mentioning their names.Allimuddin ignored his unbridled utterances for reasons best known to them.Only when Molla proposed to float a new party to fight Assembly Polls in 2016, party leadership expelled him in a knee jerk move.He should have been warned much earlier and disciplinary action other than expulsion should have been slapped on him.Any way, it's better late than never. Prospect of the Left in the coming Lok Sabha Polls is far from bright.So it should ruthlessly weed out many questionable personalities from the party to refurbish its image and set its house in order.Hopefully,it'll bring the party a better tomorrow.

Pampering the mischief maker!

Didi's anxiety for Anubrata Mandal's health is understandable.We're also worried about his hypoxemia like her.But what concerns us most is her unconcern for Anubrat's provocative speeches to burn the houses of the dissident TMC candidates in the run-up to Panchayet polls and bomb police vehicles, if necessary, as a fall-out of which Sagar Ghosh, father of an old-time Trinomool activist, was shot dead allegedly by TMC miscreants.She rather adored him as a very efficient and sincere leader of his party and pledged to protect him at any cost.Her utterances suggest an 'efficient party leader' can do whatever he likes and arm of law is not strong enough to touch him.Cops, in fact, didn't arrest Anubrata, an accused in Sagar Ghosh murder case, even when Court of law suggested to do so.Again, it's difficult to apprehend what bearing Anubrata's illness has on his invectives to his opponent.There's no medical evidence that those suffering from deficiency of oxygen in blood(hypoxemia) are apt to spew venom on their adversaries.Nor it's prudent to say no legal action may be taken against such people on humanitarian ground.Perhaps, CM tried to draw public sympathy for Anubrata's chronic illness and exonerate him of minor lapses.But tone and tenor of her remark about Anubrata is more of pampering him than restraining him any way.Later, again, some high profile TMC leaders joined the band wagon of their supremo in eulogizing and encouraging Anubrata rather in louder voice.CM also vindicated him even in Assembly without mentioning his name. It's deplorable,when High Court is making all-out efforts to do justice to Sagar Ghosh murder case by forming a 5-member investigating team headed by director general of police(DGP) who are supposed to carry out probe independently staying away from any influence of state administration, the statement of CM who's incidentally Home minister also is likely to influence the investigation in a big way and slain Sagar Ghosh might not get justice at all.

A shot in the Left arm!

The mammoth rally at the Brigade would definitely supply oxygen to the apparently sagging morale of the Left leaders following massive debacle in Panchayet and civic polls.Adding insult to injury three MLAs of the Left Front switched their allegiance over to TMC in recently concluded RS poll that helped TMC to send their fourth candidate to RS and later they formally joined the ruling party.True, such instances of defection from the Left parties are few and far between compared to other parties but nevertheless there is fear that others might follow suit.What's more, Mukul Roy claimed many CPI(M) MLAs are also sitting on the fence and might join his party at any time. In fact, leaders of the TMC were worried that there might be mass exodus from the opposition to the ruling party and the state would be bereft of opposition.They, of course, argue those who are decamping their parties to join TMC are doing so enchanted and enthused by enormous developmental work s being done by Mamata Banerjee.The defectors too argue in the same vein to vindicate their joining the ruling parties.But what's reality is money plays the pivotal role to tempt these MLAs to change sides.In fact, those who leave their parties in trying times are likely to be more liabilities than assets to the party they join.No political party, however, realize this home truth.Hopefully, the massive rally at Brigade would help the Left to arrest defection and turn around to fight back in Lok Sabha polls. People attended the Brigade rally of the Left braving many odds.They were allegedly intimidated by TMC activists. They were denied overnight shelter to stay at Kolkata by the govt as was given to those attended the TMC rally at Brigade held only a few days earlier.So most of the participants in the Left rally were supposed to be true supporters or sympathizers of the Left. .But the recent disastrous performance of the Left front in the Panchayet or civic polls does not bear out this claim.So were these elections well-rigged and farce as the oppositions contended? Question remains.

Rape Fest

The recent incident of gang rape at the behest of headman of tribal community at Kangaroo court in Birbhum district that can even make pale any medieval barbarity is the fall-out of the persistent lenient attitude of the present state govt to crimes against women and rapes or gang rape in particular. When an incident of rape takes place govt try hard to shove the incident under the carpet so that it doesn’t in way tarnish the image of the govt.It all started with Park street gang rape case, the first incident of rape in the regime of the present govt.Instead of taking stern action against this gruesome incident CM called it a concocted one to blemish the govt, and transferred the investigating officer Damayanti Sen when she claimed gang rape did actually happen. In fact, it sent a signal to the rapists that govt play down even gruesome incident like rapes and they can perpetrate this heinous crime with impunity. There after umpteen incidents of rape including rape-murder and gang rapes have happened in the state and none has been punished as yet. What’s more, CM a woman herself has unusually kept mum about rapes, let alone take hard measures against the rapists to minimize such awful crimes. Thanks to the present rulers, Bengal has got the most despicable distinction of being the rape capital of the nation and our head hangs in shame to the civilized societies of the globe.

A criminals' welfare state!

It’s the utter disgrace for any state administration where a young girl is gang raped and raped again for bringing the most barbaric incident to the notice of the cops. Here the matter does not end. So nonchalant are the miscreants to the power of the custodian of law and order,they kept hunting the girl and ultimately burnt her to death by sprinkling kerosene on her body.Isn’t it more nightmarish than any horror story? Now our state has been a heaven for molesters and rapists. The criminals are awfully desperate and they’ve scanty regard for the police administration. So they dare outrage the modesty of women in broad day light in presence of people around. They behave as if the state has given them the license to sexually misbehave with any woman they like for pleasure and amusement. What’s more, whoever ventures to protest against these criminal activities is roughed up mercilessly. So people now prefer to look the other way when such things happen. Never before women did feel as unsafe and unsecured as now in our state. The situation is fast deteriorating thanks to the insensitivity and indifference of the state administration. What’s very important, police administration more often than not brazenly take sides with the miscreants instead of protecting the victims. What’s very surprising is Mamata Banerjee being a woman herself very carefully refrains from making any statements while blood chilling incidents of rape-murder are taking place one after other in our state. She considers these barbaric incidents as ‘small ones' and there's nothing to clamour about. Nor has she made significant attempt to prevent or minimize such incidents. On the other hand she blames the opposition for making furor unnecessarily over these incidents to tarnish the image of the government and stand in the way of the developmental activities being pursued by her govt just out of malice. What’s most deplorable, people of Bengal who are supposed to be very sensitive and responsive lie far behind the Delihites in vehemence of their protest against the gang-rape of Nirvaya in a running bus that shook the Delhi administration to the core. People from all walks of life participated in the protest rally that gripped Delhi in such a way that Delhi govt too came forward and helped amend the anti-rape law to make it more stringent and brought the miscreants to justice by trial in the fast track court. The perpetrators of barbarism were awarded death penalty. In contrast, in Bengal no sustained movement is organized against the govt which is apparently in deep slumber so far as the crime against women is concerned and awaken it to act properly to stop this menace which affect our every day life and tarnish the image of Bengal at national and international levels, which was once deemed one of the safest places for women in the country.