AGARTALA / KOLKATA, March 7 (TIWN): Finally, in the run-up to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Election, 2016, the Congress and CPI-(M) are bracing themselves for a prospective electoral tie-up. However, the highest decision-making bodies of both the parties are yet to take a final call on this issue. Both of them claim an alliance to have been already formed at the grassroots level. However, none of the party bigwigs are aware of the detrimental repercussions of such an alliance. The CPI-(M) Central Committee has only called for unity of all ‘secular and democratic’ parties to come under one platform in a bid to combat ‘communal’ forces which are taking roots in Bengal. So they have not directly issued Congress a proposal for an electoral tie-up. On the other hand, the Congress high-command is still keeping mum over this issue. Fact is Whenever any political party struck an alliance with CPI-(M), it did not last. As because they never actively participated in any Government.They only extended support from outside.In this way, they hold trumps. They play a ‘politics of blackmail’ in one way or the other. Nothing illustrates this better than the UPA-I regime.One would like to recall that in the run-up to the Indian General Election 2014, the CPI-(M) lambasted the UPA-II regime by invoking the 2G Spectrum scam, Coal scam and others time and again.

They also reiterated that Congress and BJP are two sides of the same coin. And thus, they called for establishment of a ‘third front’ which would provide an alternative to Congress and BJP.

Let us imagine an alliance between Congress and CPI-(M) in Bengal. Does this electoral tie-up convince them victory in the Legislative Assembly Election? If it does so, then what is the electoral formula? Take an example of a septuagenarian who voted for the Congress throughout his/her entire life. Also take an example of his/her counterpart who voted for the CPI-(M) throughout his/her entire life. Would they vote for their favourites if an alliance is formed? Human psychology replies in negative.

CPI-(M) called the shots in Bengal for 34 years. In such a long period of time, they must have slaughtered more than 34,000 people. Whoever lost his/her father, mother, son, daughter in such a carnage would naturally nurse a grudge against the aforesaid party. And would they stand by such an alliance?

Recall one of the most horrifying and violent incidents in the history of West Bengal’s politics. The ‘Sainbari’ incident of March 17, 1970. A CPI-(M) mob abruptly launched an attack on the ‘Sain’ family. The eldest son of the family, Nabakumar Sain had his eyes gouged out. His brothers, Malay and Pranab were butchered. Nabakumar was killed a year later. His wife, Rekharani is a silent testimony to such a terrifying incident. She still lives from hand to mouth with her four daughters in Kolkata.

Would such a family ever cast their vote for CPI-(M)?

Also recollect the Marichjhapi incident of 1979, two years after Jyoti Basu took over as Chief Minister of West Bengal. Marichjhapi is an island located at Sunderbans. About 60,000 people who came over from the rehabilitation centre provided by the Centre in Dandakaranya (Odisha) took refuge on the island as they were taken in by the Left Front’s poll promises.

The refugees used to bring drinking water, foodgrains and medicines from Kumirmari village across the Korankhali river, but the police imposed a blockade. The island was heavily guarded by 30-36 launches, packed with policemen and party cadres. The refugees were, thus, not allowed to get anything from Kumirmari. Hence, their darkest hour began. Their lives were made as miserable as possible. They had to survive on coconut leaves and grass. Many children lost their lives to green diarrhoea. However, as pain and suffering became intolerable, they were desparate to go to Kumirmari for getting themselves water, food and medicine. That was the 10^th day of the blockade. 16 women were sent in a boat. The innocent refugees could never apprehend any harm to women by the police. But their beliefs were shattered as and when a launch - Indrajit MV79 – sped towards the boat and rammed it. 14 were saved, but the rest two were found in Bagnan forest office. And it was appalling to find out that they were molested.

Trouble accentuated as around 3:30 PM, the police advanced in force and started firing. Many were killed and the dead bodies were taken to different places.

Few could survive the Marichjhapi massacre. And would the survivors, who naturally nurse pain and agony in their hearts, ever vote for the CPI-(M)?

The farmers of Singur, who gave up their lands for industrialisation of Bengal only to be taken in by the erstwhile Left Front Government are now landless.

Would they ever exercise their franchise for CPI-(M)?

Let us take for granted that an alliance between Congress and CPI-(M) would work wonders. They would take over in 2016. But who would be the Chief Minister? This would definitely spark a tussle.

Ironically, CPI-(M) is contemplating an alliance with Congress.

On the other hand, internal dissonance is functioning within the Left Front as CPI, Forward Bloc and RSP have strongly taken a dim view of a Congress-CPI-(M) bonhomie and amity which might translate into an alliance.

Indian voters are no longer in favour of a hung parliament or assembly. And that’s the reason, BJP-led NDA Government came to power in 2014 with a clear majority. So the people of West Bengal would vote for a Government which would atleast remain stable for the next five years.