Political Diary
New Delhi, 5 June 2010
Congress, CPM
‘Left’ Cold
MAMATA MANTRA: YES
WE CAN!
By Poonam I Kaushish
Political India
was a mixed bag of colour hues last week. West Bengal
was a sea of green as Trinamool swept a majority of the municipalities across
the State. Its arch rival, the CPM was ‘red’ in the face over its defeat and in
Delhi the Congress
green with envy over ally Mamata’s “historic success”.
Predictably, stormy petrel Mamata is over the moon with her
Daniel-like success, having demolished the ‘Reds’ in their municipal den. Her
TMC emerged the biggest winner with 24, Left Front retained a mere 18 and
Congress netted seven out of 81 across 16 districts in the State. In Kolkata
alone it won 95 of the 141Municipal Corporation wards. Dubbing it a victory of ma-mati-manush she now demands pre-poning
the Assembly elections slated early next year.
Questionably, what’s the big deal about a State civic poll?
Everything. Importantly, Mamata has unveiled a new brand of politics. She has shown
that if one has the courage of conviction, belief in a cause and single-minded
pursuit nothing can stop one from achieving one’s goal – Yes We Can. Two, it is
set to change the political equations between the Congress-Trinamool, within
the UPA at the Centre. Three, it is being seen as a semi-final before the
crucial final State poll lap in 2011. Wherein, it could be the beginning of the
end of the road for the Left.
Like her or hate her, but Bengal’s
stormy petrel has shown nothing is impossible. From a street fighter in the
early 80’s and vanquished pugilist of the 2005 Assembly polls who took on the
Left single-handed, Mamata has today emerged as the beacon of change. With
sheer perseverance and shrewd manipulation Bengal’s tigress has turned the "one-woman
party" into a vibrant alternative force in Bengal.
A mass leader who usurped her arch rival’s strength, farmers and minorities,
and beat them at their own game.
Riding the winds of political transformation, Mamata’s
triumph is set to alter equations to her advantage vis- vis the Congress and within the UPA. Not only will her
bargaining power go up but she may well arm-twist the Congress to give in to
all her demands, even those unjustifiable, flimsy or unnecessary. Already the
Centre has acceded to her request and ordered a CBI probe into the Jhargram
train mishap despite the State Government’s opposition.
However, Mamata also knows that she cannot always dictate
terms. The Trinamool too needs the Grand Dame of Politics on her side to ensure
a clear victory in the 2011 Assembly polls. With the electorate giving a hung
verdict in 32 municipalities the writing is on the wall. If the TMC and
Congress had aligned and fought these municipalities they would have won.
Thus, Mamata would need to give up her gun-boat politics and
tantrums, "In this election we had to fight against the ruling Party and
three to four other forces," read Congress. Behave maturely, continue
being part of the UPA, abide by the coalition dharma and agree to seat-sharing
with the Congress in the State polls.
That the need for each other’s partnership was “mutual” was
also clear from Mamata’s statement saying, “I am part of the UPA.” Indicating
that her party would cobble up a majority in at least 23 of the 31
municipalities where there was a hung mandate. Her words of seeking "a
broad alliance against CPM" also hinted towards a post-poll tie-up with
Congress after the civic boards.
True, her blind opposition to the CPM has driven her yo-yo
like to the BJP and Congress. But now she faces the biggest challenge in her
career. She knows she has been walking a razor's edge in her headlong charge
against the Left and it's time to make a few changes. With eyes set on the 2011
Assembly polls, Mamata needs to mend bridges with the industry without which it
would be difficult to run the State smoothly. Along with going in for an image
make-over: from a rabble-rousing Opposition to a dependable Party with a
vision. Given that the civic polls are a barometer for people to gauge the
worth of the Left and the TMC.
For the Congress, W Bengal
is another wake-up call. Like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Bihar
it has failed to make inroads among the State’s electorate and has to play
second fiddle to regional players. Already, Mamata has dared the Party to
decide which team, CPM or TMC, it wanted to play for. Sonia needs to rein in
her State satraps and make certain
they don’t rub the mercurial leader the wrong way. They will have to learn to
play second fiddle to the mercurial Didi. Not a few continue to treat Mamata as
a junior, notwithstanding her stellar performance. Add to this, the TMC Chief
is not an easy ally. Like her ilk, she is well versed in making national
parties twirl to her tune.
For the first time after 32 long years the powerful Left has
been pushed into a corner in Bengal. With the curtain
ringing down on its rule over Kolkata’s municipalities. This third consecutive
match-up is a clear indication that the political momentum is with Mamata and
might sweep it off Writer’s Building. A serious and timely warning for it to
tighten its belt, set its house in order or else be prepared to exit the State
Government.
Prakash Karat and Co have only themselves to blame. Post the
controversial land acquisition in Singur and Nandigram, which translated into a
huge poll debacle for the Left Front in the 2009 Lok Sabha election down from
62 to 22 seats it did nothing to heal the scars. Instead of taking any
development or industry-related steps, Karat turned a blind eye which further
alienated them from the people.
Also, the Left has developed alarming cracks. Today, it is
on a slippery slope in Kerala and its rein may end in the next State poll. A defeat in Bengal
would be a massive setback for a Party that defied the decline of Communism
world-wide to command clout. Simultaneously, it can say sayonara to dreams of putting together an anti-NDA and anti-UPA
Third Front. It brand equity as a viable option as an alliance partner stands
considerably diluted. Be it regional parties or the Congress and BJP.
All eyes are on Mamata as a new political hope in Bengal. Will she emerge as a long-term political player
in the State and Centre or will her temper, tantrums and capricious ways
destroy her. She needs to remember: Its easy to reach the top but difficult to retain
one’s numero uno status. She has to
deliver the goods. Otherwise go. A long hard battle lies in store for her. Will
she make her mark?
For Sonia-Rahul’s Congress, it needs to get its act
together. Even as exit polls show him as the people’s choice as Prime Minister
he has yet to earn his spurs .If the Congress wants to go it alone in the 2014
General Elections it’s going to be tough.
The Left should be gracious in its defeat, cut its losses,
move aside and let Assembly election be advanced. It needs to learn from its
mistakes and reinvent itself. If it continues it dogmatic ways it would not only
be fooling itself but worse people who believe in it. After burning its
electoral fingers in 2009-2010 can it afford another defeat at the hustings? It
remains to be seen if the Red brigade sphinx-like rise from the ashes.
Undoubtedly, history will decide what lies in store, good or
bad times. But at the moment, a change is what was needed the most. All have miles
to go before one of them reaches the winning Red tape and asserts: Yes we can!
INFA
(Copyright,
India News and Feature Alliance)
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