The Bengal assembly elections next year is poised to see a keen contest between Trinamool Congress and BJP. But political violence and brinkmanship between the Centre and state government threaten to relegate democracy and the ordinary citizen’s primacy in the voting process to the backburner. The latest flashpoint is the standoff between the Union and Bengal governments over three IPS officers summoned on central deputation following alleged lapses that led to BJP president JP Nadda’s convoy coming under attack. The alleged murder of two BJP workers over the weekend has also upped the turmoil.
The attack on a national leader like Nadda didn’t help Bengal’s reputation for political violence that goes back several decades. The political actors have kept changing, but the bloodletting has been a constant. BJP’s impressive performance in the 2019 assembly elections, where it won 18 seats, has upped the stakes on both sides. In 2016, TMC had to contend with a weak CPM-Congress alliance. In contrast, BJP’s rise has led to a situation where both sides are evenly matched in resources.
Both sides have two distinct political narratives. TMC claims it has reversed the stagnation during the 33 year left rule and warns that communal harmony is under threat. BJP is challenging TMC’s narrative on development and accuses the ruling party of minority appeasement. But political violence and strained Centre-state ties threatens to derail the narrative for both sides. The party which wins after such a bloody campaign will struggle to woo investors to the state and rebuild social cohesion. An all-party meeting to cool tempers, and converge on measures to ensure a peaceful campaign, would be a good start to an important election year.
Read: Centre calls top officials after Nadda attack, Bengal defiant
Top Comment
Ashok
3 minutes ago
The bureaucracy, which includes the police, is the framework designed to ensure continuity and permanence in governance. The same outstanding mandarin could be either union home secretary or chief secretary of Bengal. It gives an odd feeling to read that the CS and the DGP have been summoned by the Centre over a violent incident. Apart from avoiding unnecessary travel in Covid times, they could be spoken to over the phone, invited for a meeting, not splashed in the media, for a more general discussion over the situation in the state. As far as deputation to the Centre is concerned, the norm is to seek the consent of both the state government and the officer concerned. Not a unilateral, compulsory recall. So many fine officers go through an entire lifetime in service without going on central deputation. 2. One feels deeply for Bengal, Calcutta more so. The state has many natural advantages, including talented, creative people who seek careers in other parts of the country and the world. An economic renaissance is very much needed for the stateâ s ninety million people. Difficult to discern any blueprint for development in the fiery challenge that has been launched to capture Nabanna / Writersâ Building. Examples of brilliantly governed states where Vikas is flourishing should be placed before the good people of the state, instead of the polarising polemic on display. 3. The Economist has said Indiaâ s economy was sick before the pandemic, will remain unwell after it passes. The investments its government seeks will more likely go to other developing countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh. Instead of this ceaseless 24 / 7 election campaign, it might be more helpful for both Bengal and India if serious issues of governance receive more attention. Mass vaccinations are starting in the United States and other countries where human life is valued a great deal.... Read More