With its back to the wall, the CPI(M) now wants its rank and file to overcome the sense of despondency and demoralisation that has engulfed them following the Left Front’s exit from power.
The party mandarins, who were earlier virtually reconciled to their fate, have now decided to take on the Trinamul Congress and not to surrender without a fight. The party leadership is asking the party ranks to shed the “defeatist mindset” and get ready for a prolonged battle.
To galvanise them, the party satraps have given the following clarion call: “Fight the foes (read: Trinamul Congress) and save the fortress.”
“We are constantly at the receiving end. Mamata Banerjee has proved to be a double-faced leader who had prior to the polls promised badal (change) and not badla (revenge), but now she is doing the opposite, prompting her party workers to attack our beleaguered party ranks. This is quite unacceptable in a democracy,” said CPI(M) state secretary Biman Bose.
Significantly, the Bengal party unit which had earlier entered into a debate over the central leadership’s tactical line during the Lok Sabha polls, has now realised that the unnecessary blame game had left a negative impact on the party supporters. “We are leaving this acrimony behind and looking ahead with a renewed vigour and optimism,” Mr Bose was quoted as saying in a recent party meeting.
In sync with this “re-awakening”, the party will review the present ground reality in districts like South 24 Parganas, West Midnapore, Hooghly, Bankura and Purulia where the party workers are facing widespread attacks.
“A spate of violence is being directed against our leaders and cadres. Even MLAs and former ministers are being targeted. So far, 27 leaders and cadres of the Left parties have been killed. Many have been injured in the attacks. Women have been molested. Scores of party offices have been attacked and ransacked. Some of them have been captured. Thousands of supporters had to leave their homes. In some places, there have been attacks on peasants to snatch away the right on their lands. In some places, crops have been looted or destroyed,” leader of Opposition Suryakanta Mishra said.
He added, “We have to defend the party and the mass organisations from such attacks.”
The cadres who are being targeted for violence have to be protected.” Dr Mishra made it clear that the party would not take the defeat lying down.