Attacks by Trinamool leaders on institutions are prompted by Mamata Bannerjee
Attacks by Trinamool Congress leaders on rivals and institutions in West Bengal has more to do with the diktats issued by Chief Minister and party supremo Mamata Bannerjee than any criticism of Marxist regimentation.
Naturally then, when the ebullient all India general secretary of the party Mukul Roy took head on the State Election Commission (SEC) and launched a vicious personal campaign against the State Election Commissioner Meera Pandey, going to the extent of describing her as the stooge of CPI (M), it became crystal clear that he was merely doing his leader’s bidding.
The Bengal Chief Minister can go to any extent to attack and malign her political adversaries, as was evident during her war of attrition with the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the UPA government. Following in the foot steps of his supreme leader, Roy used choicest invectives against Pandey, a fact which irked even Governor M K Narayanan to make a point: ``All I have to say is that such intolerant utterances about somebody who is carrying out constitutional responsibility is unfortunate.” Attributing motives to SEC’s refusal to hold panchayat elections on a single day as suggested by Mamata and hher team, Roy remarked “ I have a strong feeling that a conspiracy is under way to delay the election in order to keep the CPI(M) happy. I think there is an understanding with the CPI(M)”. But that was not the worst; he added for good measure that ``she was seen in company of some senior CPI(M) leaders”.
Senior bureaucrats have not taken these jibes and allegations lightly. They are waiting for the right moment to hit back. They say their rulers have developed a habit of attacking and insulting officers to cover up for their own failures. State Election Commissioner Pande is known for sticking to rules. In the past, she has even antagonized senior Left Front ministers but the political leadership always appreciated her sound bureaucratic approach and allowed her to function.
Mamata in fact favoured holding panchayat elections in December this year in a single phase. The time was important for her as she did not want intra-party feuds to dominate electoral proceedings. But the major problem against holding elections then was revision of electoral rolls and completion of delimitation of the wards. It is said that at least 10 lakh new young voters have been enrolled. In addition to the present incumbents, officer bearers of the panchayats would continue to be in office till May 30, 2014. Obviously there was little that the new representatives would have done if the elections were held in December. Later the government suggested a two-phase poll. But in view of the high stakes and sensitivity of the elections, Pande preferred not to take a chance and suggested a three-phase poll.
A closer look will reveal that irrespective of whatever Roy has been saying, the fact is that Mamata has made it an ego issue. She has come to brook no challenges to her decisions. Pande by sticking to her stand, therefore, is guilty of opposing the chief minister. The SEC intends to hold the elections in April, 2014, so that the new members would be ready to take charge after May 30 and it makes sense.
It is worth recalling that the same Mukul Roy addressing Trinmool workers on December 1 last year had said that panchayat elections will be held in April-May and asked all party members to sink their differences and work unitedly. He should be able to answer what significant changes had taken place since then to necessitate a change in his party’s and the state government’s stand.
West Bengal Panchayati Raj Institutions have altered the face of the state. There has been all round development in the quality of life for the rural population. The villages now have an institution which has transformed their standard of living to a higher level than under the present Left Front regime.
Attacks by Trinamool Congress leaders on rivals and institutions in West Bengal has more to do with the diktats issued by Chief Minister and party supremo Mamata Bannerjee than any criticism of Marxist regimentation.
Naturally then, when the ebullient all India general secretary of the party Mukul Roy took head on the State Election Commission (SEC) and launched a vicious personal campaign against the State Election Commissioner Meera Pandey, going to the extent of describing her as the stooge of CPI (M), it became crystal clear that he was merely doing his leader’s bidding.
The Bengal Chief Minister can go to any extent to attack and malign her political adversaries, as was evident during her war of attrition with the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the UPA government. Following in the foot steps of his supreme leader, Roy used choicest invectives against Pandey, a fact which irked even Governor M K Narayanan to make a point: ``All I have to say is that such intolerant utterances about somebody who is carrying out constitutional responsibility is unfortunate.” Attributing motives to SEC’s refusal to hold panchayat elections on a single day as suggested by Mamata and hher team, Roy remarked “ I have a strong feeling that a conspiracy is under way to delay the election in order to keep the CPI(M) happy. I think there is an understanding with the CPI(M)”. But that was not the worst; he added for good measure that ``she was seen in company of some senior CPI(M) leaders”.
Senior bureaucrats have not taken these jibes and allegations lightly. They are waiting for the right moment to hit back. They say their rulers have developed a habit of attacking and insulting officers to cover up for their own failures. State Election Commissioner Pande is known for sticking to rules. In the past, she has even antagonized senior Left Front ministers but the political leadership always appreciated her sound bureaucratic approach and allowed her to function.
Mamata in fact favoured holding panchayat elections in December this year in a single phase. The time was important for her as she did not want intra-party feuds to dominate electoral proceedings. But the major problem against holding elections then was revision of electoral rolls and completion of delimitation of the wards. It is said that at least 10 lakh new young voters have been enrolled. In addition to the present incumbents, officer bearers of the panchayats would continue to be in office till May 30, 2014. Obviously there was little that the new representatives would have done if the elections were held in December. Later the government suggested a two-phase poll. But in view of the high stakes and sensitivity of the elections, Pande preferred not to take a chance and suggested a three-phase poll.
A closer look will reveal that irrespective of whatever Roy has been saying, the fact is that Mamata has made it an ego issue. She has come to brook no challenges to her decisions. Pande by sticking to her stand, therefore, is guilty of opposing the chief minister. The SEC intends to hold the elections in April, 2014, so that the new members would be ready to take charge after May 30 and it makes sense.
It is worth recalling that the same Mukul Roy addressing Trinmool workers on December 1 last year had said that panchayat elections will be held in April-May and asked all party members to sink their differences and work unitedly. He should be able to answer what significant changes had taken place since then to necessitate a change in his party’s and the state government’s stand.
West Bengal Panchayati Raj Institutions have altered the face of the state. There has been all round development in the quality of life for the rural population. The villages now have an institution which has transformed their standard of living to a higher level than under the present Left Front regime.
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