Union home minister P. Chidambaram’s letter to West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee strongly criticising the role of “armed CPI(M) cadre” in fomenting violence in the state is the latest flashpoint in the already fractious political situation there.

The scathing letter virtually toes the Trinamul Congress line that the Left Front government was misusing Central forces in the state. And, further provoking the Marxists, senior Congress leader and Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee has publicly said that “jungle raj” prevails in West Bengal. Mr Mukherjee has also asked the Left Front, particularly the CPI(M), to reply to the home minister’s letter. All this scotches rumours that the Congress may dump its ally and join hands with the Left. In fact, Mr Mukherjee’s comment underscores the Trinamul’s leverage in Bengal and on the national scene, and also, incidentally, gives the lie to tales about his perceived closeness to the Left.
West Bengal has been known for political violence, particularly during Assembly elections. Apart from the “scientific rigging” mastered by the Marxists, muscle power is also used. But the Assembly polls in the state might witness unprecedented violence because of the huge stakes involved. With the wind blowing against the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee government, the CPI(M) might not shy away from utilising all possible options to stay in power. Rival parties are unlikely to take this lying down. The killings have already started along with trading of charges. The “formal” warning by Mr Chidambaram and the “political” warning by Mr Mukherjee should be seen in this context.
The Centre is mounting pressure on the CM to rein in the armed cadres of the CPI(M) so that the Trinamul does not suffer much in the electoral battle. Of course, the Marxists and the state government have consistently denied the existence of such forces. Alongside, the Maoists have also started attacks on their enemies. With this, the political battle for the heart of West Bengal has metamorphosed into violent clashes in the streets and on campuses. Both the Trinamul and CPI(M) say campus violence has claimed nearly 20 lives so far.
Mr Chidambaram’s letter clearly states that CPI(M)-backed goons have been attacking Opposition supporters and warns that this cannot continue in a democracy. Even after he penned his missive, a Trinamul worker was shot dead in West Midnapore. The Opposition in West Bengal has been insisting, loudly, that CPI(M)-backed thugs have been attacking their supporters in many places, including in trouble-torn Lalgarh. The home minister’s letter mentions that 96 Trinamul, 65 CPI(M) and 15 Congress supporters have been killed in political violence. A few days ago, economist Amartya Sen also expressed concern at the escalating political violence in West Bengal. The scenario is fast becoming similar to the bloody Seventies.
With a highly politicised and emasculated police force, there are no hopes that violence will be quelled soon. Caught in the middle are the bewildered voters. Surely replacing the CPI(M)’s army of goons with the Trinamul version is not what they have in mind. Investors, too, are worried. The CM seems indifferent to ensuring the safety of life and property. Alarmingly enough, he has given a call to his party cadres to “resist” the Opposition’s “attempts to unleash forces of anarchy”. This is partisan and akin to signing an order authorising chaos. The Centre seems fully aware of the situation but it needs to do more than pen letters and make dramatic statements to prevent the state from slipping into mayhem in the run-up to the Assembly polls.