India's communists should think again

One interpretation of the Cultural Revolution in China, some four decades ago, is that Mao Zedong wanted party members and bureaucrats to experience life in the villages. His purpose was that they should become familiar with the rigours of living in the countryside so that they would not be complacent when they returned to their offices.

The communists' routing in Kolkata's recent civic election suggests that they would benefit from a similar exercise. CPI leader A.B. Bardhan has accused the communist government in Kolkata of becoming "swollen headed" and disconnected from reality and people's aspirations.

This government, which has ruled for 33 years, appears to be inept. The growing conviction is that communism has no place in today's world.

The communists in West Bengal remained popular, particularly in the rural areas, as long as they were effecting agrarian reforms, transferring power to the panchayats and making the people feel that they were the masters of their destiny. But then they started to sit back as if they had nothing more to do. People became exasperated with the status quo and expressed their resentment at the polls, leading to the defeat of communist candidates in bye-elections. Still the communists did not get the message. The people duly voted against the communists in the last Lok Sabha election and the Left's number of seats was reduced from 60 to 16.

The party's politburo considered the defeat an aberration and did not anticipate the mood of the people. State Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya announced that industrial development had to be given priority if economic conditions were to improve in the state. He said that declining living standards and growing youth unemployment could not be tackled without industrialisation. This was a departure from communist policy, which had primarily been based on agrarian reforms. Most ministers, much less the cadres, did not understand or appreciate the new policy.

Out of character

Even the top communist leaders miscalculated. How could West Bengal attract industrialists when their cadres had driven them out two decades ago?

When Buddhadeb wanted to bring industry back, he began with Tata's Nano car plant at Singrur. He planned to make a land acquisition "in the public interest", but the chief minister failed. Farmers, used to preferential treatment, opposed the switch to industrialisation. When the communist cadres, with the help of the police, tried to enforce their will on the farmers who were not willing to give up their land for industry, they became oppressors. The West Bengal government committed atrocities — to the horror of liberals — and failed to make any headway. It was inevitable.

Naive approach

The Left did not understand — and it does not even now — that the support won through the betterment of villagers would be lost in a switch to industrialisation, in which farmers would have no equity. Farmers could not be expected to hand over their land for cash, which would not last.

At least the West Bengal government should have realised that the acquisition of land for industry would not be seen as serving the public interest.

India's Maoists have influence in nearly 200 districts because they pay special attention to the development of the countryside where the tribals and the marginalised live. They have not made industry their priority.

The communists differ from the Maoists in that they have confidence in the parliamentary system. The Left in West Bengal should, however, realise that the people no longer feel that they are participating in government.

The Kolkata administration appears to be at the beck and call of the communists, who throw their weight around. The Left should try to analyse why it is losing its appeal. One reason, of course, is that liberalism is losing its appeal in the glittering world of consumerism. But another reason is that the communists have become jaded.

In fact, communists face these questions throughout the world. Globalisation and free markets are not new phenomena. Why is religious fundamentalism proving more attractive than Karl Marx's teachings? These questions cannot be brushed aside.

True, society is becoming less idealistic. But at the same time, people are more attracted to social democracy than a system which concentrates power in a few hands. Those living in poverty are tired of the trickle-down theory of globalisation that promises benefits "in due course".

The 21st century poses new challenges. What unites people is the fight against bigotry and vested interests. The Left should understand that this battle cannot be won until the people's voice is heard. Communist ideology has to be reinterpreted.

West Bengal should consider how to build an agrarian society that can increase output, enhance farmers' income and bring about egalitarianism. This cannot be achieved by acquiring land "in the public interest", to benefit a few industrialists. Fresh thinking is required to encourage idealism.

Kuldip Nayar is a former Indian high commissioner to the United Kingdom and a former Rajya Sabha member.