Within a few months some States are scheduled to go for Assembly polls which are comparatively of not much significance at the national level as the general elections are about four years from now. To be exact 2014 May. Even without any national significance national politics is already caught in a swamp of massive corruption. Starting from 2G Spectrum scam, Common Wealth Games-2010 scam, Adarsh Housing Scam, Money laundering and now come to the fore a scam which surpasses 2G Spectrum scam in terms of amount, the S-band spectrum scam to the tune of 2 lakh crore scam which was a deal arrived at between ISRO’s Antrix Corporation Ltd and Bangalore-based Devas Multimedia Pvt Ltd which is being overlooked by Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Suhil Seth in his blog with a sense of humour and sarcasm wrote that with the 2 lakh crores involved in the S-band spectrum Kalmadi and A.Raja could be sent to moon. The scams are tumbling out on a daily basis and the govt finds itself in a tight spot. What I was driving home was that the State election results though will have a mild impact on the Central govt it cannot however be called either a quarter final or semi-final.
This is not to cover all States slated to go to Assembly polls most probably in May.
The two States which are being looked upon with interest and ‘concern’ are the States of Kerala and West Bengal. Both are ruled by Left Democratic Front (LDF) and therefore it assumes significance. The only other State which is under the rule of LDF is the little State of Tripura, a strong red citadel. Tripura is not poised to go to polls in the May assembly elections.
Left Democratic Front of West Bengal faces a tough challenge, this time to be more exact a formidable challenge from the part of Mamta Banerji’s Trinamool Congress. In its thirty three years of uninterrupted rule, the Left Democratic Front is sensing a possible defeat at the hands of Trinamool Congress-Indian National Congress combine. Mamta sensing a certain victory, this time has nailed herself in her home State notwithstanding her sensitive Railway portfolio at the Centre. Well-known for throwing tantrums often even Prime Minister Sardar ManMohan Singh has chosen to keep mum. Even otherwise on a host of sensitive issues he is comfortable as a mute spectator. That was why Prabhu Chawla, the other day commented Dr.Singh once a man with a clear vision, has now turned out to be an average politician. Some others even hesitate to accommodate him in the average category.
So be it. Let’s come back to West Bengal politics. Almost everyone knows the reason behind the elevation of Trinamool Congress in Bengal politics as also the downswing of Left Democratic Front. It was the latter’s own undoing, recall the Singur, Nandigram episodes, the over-enthusiasm of Buddhadeb Bhattacharya in bringing the corporates to the Bengali soil, true, his intention was for the good of the State but as already written the speed with which he went ahead with his ‘corporate-encourage mentality’ led to his plans turn topsy-turvy. The land owners, peasants and share-croppers who were the driving force, the grass-roots level workers from the very inception were evicted ruthlessly, assaulted and murdered, spilt much blood on the streets of Nandigram and Singur and were even paid nominal sum as compensation and some got not even a penny which invited their wrath and vengeance. The Indonesian multinational Salim Group and Indian Corporate TATAs had to flee the scene in the face of mounting protests by the land owners, peasants, share-croppers, average citizens, the artists, writers, film-personalities and intellectuals all who grouped under the umbrella of Mamta’s Trinamool Congress, please note she could very well capitalize on the volatile situation, Mamta could spread her network, strengthen her Party’s base subsequently and simultaneously Leftists suffered a massive outflow of its cadres to her side.
Since then Mamta didn’t have to turn back and with her renewed strength and vigour, she could prove in the subsequent elections. Bye-elections to Assemblies down Local-Self govt institutions and finally the 2009 General elections the Left Front was humbled at the hustings and add to its woes Communist Party of India (Maoist) cadres joined hands with Mamta’s Trinamool Congress and Communist Party of India(Marxist) cadres were the worst cadres. Mamta’s association with them in fact had started way back precisely since Singur and Nandigram blood-shed. That relationship is still continuing both utilize each other depending upon the situation much to the chagrin of Left Front.
Since 2009 General Elections, how far LDF has gone to atone for its past mistakes how far the rectification exercises have progressed whether any progress is worth noticable, all count in the coming Assembly elections. Anyhow, though a conclusion at this point of time is somewhat risky, it is anyhow advantage Trinamool in Tennis parlance.
Similarly Kerala is also ruled by LDF. Compared to West Bengal, Kerala has its own ‘peculiarities’. Kerala in my memory has not allowed a party to rule it two times consecutively kind of alternate arrangement existed so far. Whether my knowledge is right I can’t tell it for sure.
If the LDF could rule Kerala consecutively this time it would be a wonder. In Kerala this time two fronts are in a position of strength. All depends upon the stand of various communities, Nair, Ezhava, Christian, Muslim unlike that in West Bengal. Kerala’s vote-bank politics in some way or other is connected with the approach of communities towards these two fronts. That alone is not the criteria, however. Infighting in the parties, arguments relating to seat share arrangements among alliance partners of both LDF and UDF, circumventing the chances of a candidate by an alliance partner or some other forces all are deciding factors in each election in Kerala. The cent percent literacy claim, cultural participation at the highest level, much acclaimed democratic traditions, natural beauty, everything nice and envious, no dispute about it. But when confronted with realities we have still a lot to feel ashamed of. The only consolation being, when compared with many North Indian States we are undoubtedly at a higher pedestal.
Kochi is going to be smart within a short period. It is already smart. That is another matter. See for instance, the pot-holed roads, heavy traffic, lack of parking spaces, mosquito menace, mounting pollution, road accidents on a daily basis etc etc. A city going to be blessed with the status of smart city – what all our rulers ought to concentrate upon is the improvement of infrastructure development but it is quite pathetic that not only Kochi, our State as a whole keeps poor standards on the matter of infrastructure development. The other point worth noticing is the need for change of mindset on certain matters. At present our rulers are satisfied with range of the moment decisions. A farsighted approach is sadly far away from them. Such an approach has led to a number of accidents across our State the recent Pullumedu incident near Sabarimala is only one among many.
Both UDF and LDF are equally culpable, in other words what UDF follows, the LDF follows later then the UDF then the LDF and so on and on and on.
Let’s wait with bated breath from now on…..
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