THE Left Front sounded the poll bugle from the mega rally held at the historic Brigade Parade Ground on February 28. The tone and tenor of the campaign for the elections was set at this rally by CPI(M) general secretary, Sitaram Yechury when he said in no uncertain terms that the people of Bengal did not need a government that divides people based on their religion, caste or creed nor do they need a government that indulges in looting the common people. He said Bengal needs a government that will work for the welfare of the poorest of the poor, the exploited, and the marginalised people. He said, “na loot paatki, najatpatki, Bengal ko chahiyejanhitkisarkar”. He spoke comprehensively about the alternative policies that the Left stood for and would follow if voted to power.

The draft election manifesto, which was published last week, highlights, very categorically, the issues pertaining to ‘janhit’. The main thrust area of the government will, as mentioned in the draft manifesto, be providing jobs to the unemployed youth of the state. It also speaks about identifying newer sectors to generate employment as also augmenting existing facilities for the same. It says industries will be set up through co-operative, panchayat and municipal initiatives.

The draft manifesto speaks about an impartial police administration and the setting up of Lokpal offices in every district. It also speaks about rejuvenating and empowering Women’s Commission, Lokayukta, State Election Commission, Human Rights Commission and Press Council, Information Commission. It states categorically that no punitive actions will be taken against anyone critical of the state government.

Implementing social security schemes and supplementing them further for workers belonging to the unorganised sector will be another area where the government will concentrate. The draft manifesto states that attempts will be made to ensure a minimum wage of Rs 21,000 per month for workers. It also says workers of closed factories will be provided with a monthly allowance of Rs 2,500.

The draft manifesto speaks about many other issues which relate to ‘janhit’.

The candidate list, released last week, is peppered with names of a number of young, bright, positive and upbeat youngsters who have worked their way up through different mass organisations. Dipshita Dhar, and Aishe Ghosh, JNU SFI leaders are contesting as CPI(M) candidates from Bally in Howrah and Jamuria in Burdwan districts respectively. State SFI secretary, Srijan Bhattacharya will be fighting it out from Singur in Hooghly district. Meenakshi Mukherjee, DYFI state president, will be taking on two heavyweights, chief minister, Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari of BJP in the battleground of Nandigram in East Medinipur district. SFI state president, Pratikur Rehman, will be contesting from Diamond Harbour in South 24 Parganas district. DYFI state secretary, Sayandeep Mitra, will be contesting from Kamarhati in North 24 Parganas. Rajarhat in Newtown is the battleground of the Young Turk Saptarshi Deb. Another young face dominating the candidate list is the young activist PrithaTah, who will be contesting from the Burdwan East assembly constituency.

The presence of these candidates in the list has been able to send a strong message to the people of West Bengal at large. They have been able to galvanise the rank and file of the party as well as create interest in the minds of the general public. People have suddenly taken interest in the candidate list and the names of the Young Turks have been topic of discussion from at roadside tea stalls to studios of television channels. Enquiries about this young brigade are being made. People are taking pains to find out more about them. They have been successful in forcing people to step out of the comforts of their homes and participate in different political programmes. People belonging to all age groups, especially the youth, are thronging to hear their young candidates. Women are coming out of their homes to meet and greet them. The young activists are being showered with love and affection by ordinary people. Even the highbrow urban elite who had written off the Left till a few weeks ago has suddenly woken up and is taking notice of the young gang. These youngsters have come as a breath of fresh air and are inveigling people to dream of a new dawn.

Left candidates are getting huge response from the people and the manufactured ‘binary’ between TMC and BJP has been broken. The Left has insisted upon intensive campaign and Red flag squads are travelling through the towns and villages of the state. A large number of people are joining campaign rallies or processions creating a new atmosphere indicating the change in the political balance of forces.