Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Stronger Left

The editorial "Safe but under pressure" (May 15) is right in pointing out that the leading outcome of Assembly elections 2006 is the emergence of a stronger and more assertive Left. Though the Congress, by and large, has been disadvantaged there is no imminent danger to the minority Government at the Centre.

Prakash Karat's statement that he looks forward to increased intervention by the Left is timely and appropriate. The Government would do well to heed the message.

V. K. Sathyavan Nair,
Kottayam, Kerala

* * *

The Left's victory in West Bengal and Kerala heralds a new trend in Indian politics. The last 15 years saw continuous retreat from progressive policies adopted in the decades after independence. This coincided with the upsurge of reactionary trends the world over following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Worldwide the trend reached its peak when George W. Bush invaded Iraq.

Together with the promise of a peaceful democratic revolution in Nepal, the Left's resurgence will enable the progressive forces in South Asia to take the lead. It is hoped they will learn from their mistakes, recognise the grave harm done to the cause of socialism by Stalinist and dogmatist tendencies, and become a dominant political force all over the region.

Dinkar Koppikar,
Tallahassee, Florida

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