Exploiting the misgovernance of the Trinamool regime, the BJP is making inroads into West Bengal, the former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has said.
In an interview to party organ Ganashakti, Mr. Bhattacharjee said it should be the “responsibility” of the CPI(M) to make people aware of the danger. It was “very much possible” — as in 2004 — for the Left to opt for the role of policy framer and strengthen a secular government at the Centre.
“That situation [of 2004] is still prevailing when communal forces were cornered and a secular government was formed. The Left’s strength grew and position strengthened. It is still possible. The Left needs to consolidate its forces,” he said.
For the first time in decades, Mr. Bhattacharjee has not campaigned in an election, owing to poor health.
Youth frustrated
Mr. Bhattacharjee said the Trinamool’s misrule is paving the way for the BJP’s rise in Bengal. Both in rural and urban areas, the Trinamool’s politics are frustrating the youth.
“Trinamool created an anarchic situation and is misguiding the youth. Neither industry nor agriculture is visible… anti-socials are reigning,” Mr Bhattacharjee said.
He added that the BJP was taking advantage of the situation.
“This [the BJP’s rise owing to Trinamool’s misrule] could be dangerous. It could already be seen on the ground in some places. I think it is not wise to jump out of the frying pan of the Trinamool to the fire of the BJP,” Mr. Bhattacharjee noted.
Growing communalism
The former Chief Minister blamed both the Trinamool and the BJP for the growing communalism.
“They both are making calculated moves with the objective for instigating communalism for immediate benefits,” he said.
“The State witnessed unprecedented communal polarisation because of their politics. We [the Left] need to uproot this brand of politics and establish Hindu-Muslim unity,” the veteran Left leader said.
Extremist model
Targeting the Prime Minister, Mr. Bhattacharjee said he was the “model of an extremist brand of communalism and capitalism” and his “message to the capitalists [is], he is their chowkidar [watchman]”.
Leftists, he said, can challenge this model and “provide an alternative one” based on “democracy, secularism and development of independent economy.”
“Religious fascism has to be uprooted,” he said.
This is Mr. Bhattacharjee’s first interview in this election season.
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