The Hindu : National : They draw strength from party's good work

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 19, 2006

National

National

They draw strength from party's good work

K.V. Prasad

CPI(M) candidates, though new to elections, are well known at grassroots level in West Bengal

Akkel Ali Khan, CPI (M) candidate. — Photo: Arunangsu Roy Chowdhury

BAGNAN: In an election that appears to be devoid of any political issues, the ruling Left Front in West Bengal is running an intensive campaign its candidates describe as "positive." The focus is on work done by successive Left Front Governments and seeking votes for development.

And in doing so what strikes is the seamless transition by the Left Front in general and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in particular of fielding nearly one-third new candidates across 294 constituencies.

For instance in Howrah district's Bagnan constituency, the CPI (M) has decided to field a school teacher and district committee member Akkel Ali Khan, 53, in place of Social Welfare Minister, Nirupama Chatterjee, 76. Similarly in the Domjur constituency it replaced septuagenarian Padmanidhi Dhar with local committee secretary Mohanta Chatterjee, 46.

Unlike other parties which face dissidence or rebellion especially from those who have been denied re-nomination, the Left party legislators who are making way for the next generation continue to work for the organisation. Both Mr. Khan and Mr. Chatterjee refer to their predecessors as "leader." They do not forget to mention the role of their seniors who initiated them into the party.

What is equally remarkable is that these two may be new candidates, but are known in the areas they have been selected to contest. Their strength lies in their association and work in the area for the party.

"Look at the development our party has undertaken," Mr. Khan shows in Patuapara in Uluberia and mentioned that he as a member of the district committee has taken active role in achieving it. The work done includes a hand-pump, a brick-lined pathway or a new school building in the hamlet. Uluberia MP Hannan Mollah who campaigned for Mr. Khan on Tuesday told The Hindu that these candidates drew strength from the regular work undertaken by the party and the Government.

Similarly, Mr. Chatterjee shares a similar political background. Like Mr. Khan, he too was a student activist who joined the party and worked in the local committee and the Zila Panchayat. He too has been associated with party work at the grassroots and is confident that it would stand him in good stead.

Job opportunities

Besides the work, these candidates talk of the need to create employment opportunities and how the Left Front Government is pushing for more industries in the region and promoting self-help groups. Mr. Khan talks of having food-processing industry because the area grows tomatoes, potatoes and betel.

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