Veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Ashok Bhattacharya has launched a scathing critique of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal, asserting that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has "ruined" the state. Bhattacharya, a prominent figure in North Bengal and former mayor of Siliguri, claims the Left Front government, which ruled for 34 years, was responsible for the state's foundational development. His remarks come as the CPI(M) prepares for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, aiming to reclaim voters who previously shifted allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
In an exclusive interview, Bhattacharya stated, "This government has ruined Bengal. Whatever you see in Bengal today was built during the Left Front government." He emphasized the Left's determination to improve its electoral performance, particularly after significant losses in recent elections. The CPI(M) veteran highlighted the importance of the upcoming polls not just for West Bengal, but for the entire country.
Critique of TMC and BJP
Bhattacharya did not mince words when discussing the political landscape of West Bengal, characterizing the BJP as a "communal party" that is "anti-communist, anti-secularism, and anti-democratic." He linked the BJP's roots to the Hindu Mahasabha and Jana Sangh, suggesting a historical alignment with the Trinamool Congress, which he called the BJP's "natural ally."
"The BJP has politicised every constitutional institution, including the Election Commission," Bhattacharya claimed, accusing the party of using religious issues and promoting Hindutva, which he defined as a "hatred campaign."
However, his criticism extended equally to the TMC. Bhattacharya accused Mamata Banerjee's party of numerous "misdeeds" that he believes paved the way for the BJP's rise in Bengal. He cited the TMC's 2008 agitation against the Left's industrialisation policy, particularly opposing the Singur Tata factory project, as a turning point. He also labeled the TMC an "opportunist and very corrupt party" with an "undemocratic and autocratic" style of functioning. Bhattacharya drew parallels between the two parties, asserting, "There is no difference between the functioning style of the BJP and the Trinamool Congress." As an example, he referenced a recent incident where the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for a Shiva temple on land previously earmarked for an IT park in Siliguri, contrasting it with the Left's focus on industry.
Defending the Left's Legacy
Reflecting on the Left Front's 34-year rule, Bhattacharya expressed pride in significant achievements such as land reform and the establishment of the three-tier Panchayat system. He noted that at least 50 lakh landless peasants, including Muslims, tribals, and scheduled castes, benefited from land distribution. "During the Left Front period... agricultural production increased, and the purchasing power of rural people improved. There were no communal riots. There was no casteism, no religious politics in Bengal," he stated, calling it the "golden era of Bengal."
Addressing criticisms about a lack of industrialisation, Bhattacharya clarified the Left's policy: "Agriculture is our foundation, industry is our future." He explained that the Left government initiated a new industrial policy to attract private investment, securing proposals from many investors. He attributed the failure to fully realise industrialisation to the TMC's opposition, which he said campaigned against land acquisition by falsely claiming the Left was "snatching land."
Election Strategy and Outlook
Bhattacharya acknowledged that in the 2021 assembly election, some traditional Left voters shifted to the BJP, mistakenly believing it could defeat the TMC. He now believes this was a "wrong thinking" and that the BJP cannot truly defeat the TMC, alleging that the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) does not want to see the TMC defeated. "Only the Left can defeat Mamata. So, people should vote for the Left, not the BJP," he urged.
Looking ahead to the 2026 elections, Bhattacharya expressed hope for a better result for the CPI(M). He firmly stated that in the event of a fractured mandate, the Left would not support either the Trinamool Congress or the BJP, maintaining its ideological opposition to both.