The Left Front Government led by Communist Partyof India (Marxist) of the state of West Bengal completes its 32 years in office .The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) swept to power.The Left Front’s uninterrupted rule in West Bengal for over three decades(it first came to power in 1977) is paralleled only by the record of the Liberal Democratic party of Japan (Reform Party joined Japan Liberal Party to form Japan Democratic party on Nov.15 1955).But in 2009,the Liberal Democratic party(LDP) ousted from power.The LF government’s triumph in seven consecutive elections mirrors in many significant ways of priorities and preferences of the society that votes it to power.
According to experts,Bengali society has chosen stability over change.Despite land reforms and land distribution programs, the percentage of house holds owing agricultural land in West Bengal is 34.7% compared with national average of 45.6%.
The Marxist led LF government which for the better part of the 32 years was led by Jyoti Basu and his successor, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has never had a formidable challenger who proposed a viable alternative to the policies of the LF government .There are sections of population that are opposed to the Left Front Government efforts to industrialize the state.This has resulted in turmoil.The Marxist faced stiff opposition over land accusation and sporadic violence also broke out between Marxist and TMC led Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee (Committee against land eviction).The state government faced lot of troubles from the opposition and left allies in Singur and Nandigram. In these two regions, people gave their verdict against the Marxist party.The results of three-tier rural polls (panchyat election) in West Bengal,which were held in three phases in districts on May 11,14 and18,2008, show that opposition has made major inroads into Marxist parties’ rural support base.The excellent results in Municipal and general elections boost the morale of the opposition. Singur,Nandigram issue gave Trinamool Congress a new lease of life.Mamata’s popularity also reach an all time high
The Bengal government is in dilemma over the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha’s demand for a separate state.Similarly,Gorkhaland movement of the eighties crippled the hilly areas of Bengal creating the autonomous body DGHC but allegations of financial irregularities against its chairman Subhas Gishing gave the opportunity to leaders like Gurung who start demanding statehood for the hilly region.
Last year,paramilitary forces led by Bengal police started offensive against Maoists in Lalgarh.Marxist government of Bengal try to take back Maoist-controlled Lalgarh and surrounding areas.But the situation remains the same.