The Hindu : National : "Positive policies led to our success"

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Wednesday, Jun 22, 2005

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National

"Positive policies led to our success"

Special Correspondent

Opposition parties in total disarray, says Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee "The privileged middle and upper middle classes have realised that the Opposition parties are irresponsible," says Jyoti Basu

KOLKATA: Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Tuesday attributed the success of the Left Front in the civic body polls to "the Government's positive policies."

"It was also due to the fact that the Opposition parties were in total disarray," he said. He did not think they had been wiped out as they continued to enjoy some vestiges of support. "The outcome has increased our responsibilities to carry out developmental work in the city," Mr. Bhattacharjee said.

Winning streak

The Left Front has continued its winning streak since Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's Government came to power four years ago. It came up trumps in the panchayat elections, the Lok Sabha polls and those to the municipalities across the State held last month.

The outcome of Sunday's polls also reveal the extent of fragmentation in the Opposition ranks, epitomised by the remarks of the outgoing Mayor, Subrata Mukherjee, who blamed Trinamool chairpersonMamata Banerjee for the debacle.

Mr. Mukherjee, however, won from his ward. Ms. Banerjee has called for a "purification drive against traitors."

The veteran CPI (M) leader and former Chief Minister, Jyoti Basu, said the Left Front's success was partially due to its ability to win the confidence of the "privileged middle and upper middle classes." This swing could be "for political reasons as they have realised that the Opposition parties are irresponsible," he said.

"We need to reach out more often to this segment and inform them of our programmes," Mr. Basu said.

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