Statements of Radical Socialist

Condemn Biman Bose, Reject CPI(M), Build Alternative Left Pole Against the TMC

Details

Published on Friday, 11 November 2011 13:35

Written by Radical Socialist

Condemn Biman Bose, Reject CPI(M), Build Alternative Left Pole Against the TMC

For thirty four years the CPI(M) was in power in West Bengal, and used all means to continue in power. Defeat in elections has taught it no wisdom but has brought tremendous anger against Mamata Banerjee and the TMC led by her. During the last elections, (April-May,2011) foul language was used against her by ex-MP Anil Bose, who used sexist comments against Mamata Banerjee, comparing her to a sex worker, and in the process also insulting sex workers by using the typical constructs that makes them the butt of abuse. This has followed a consistent pattern over the years, as when CPI(M) leader Benoy Konar had called upon women to show their buttocks to medha patkar, when Medha patkar came to West Bengal to exprerss solidarity with militant peasants. Now that Ms. Banerjee has been landing hard punches against the CPI(M) by opening up inquiries against several of its more unsavoury leaders like Susanto Ghosh, it has become even more aggressive and sexist.

In the last few months the contradictions of the Mamata Banerjee government have started becoming apparent, though at a slow pace. Its refusal to pay DA and its foot-dragging over the rights of unorganised workers show that all its populist rhetoric cannot hide its anti-working class stance. Its reversal of the democratization of the education system show that using the CPI(M)’s undoubted abuse of the democratic principles, she and her government are bent on turning the educational system towards an elitist and anti-democratic direction. Students and non-teaching staff are to be excluded from University governing bodies, and Vice-Chancellors’ powers are to be increased. Ms. Banerjee has even gone on record identifying one of the reasons for this attack – the fact that there are too many radical left elements among the students.

As the disillusionment with the TMC grows, as agitations begin, however, no one can help her as much as the CPI(M). Now it is the turn of Biman Bose, CPI(M) State Secretary and Political Bureau member. Asked about who is dominant, the TMC or the Congress, in their alliance, he responded that he was not able to answer whether the Congress would stay under the TMC’s sari or not. This blatantly obscene and sexually-coloured comment is yet to draw responses from the CPI(M) all-India leadership, which is content with Bose’s remark the next day that he should not have made such a comment.  As long as there are still people who decide that the CPI(M) should be the vehicle for opposition to the TMC, the TMC will have little to fear. The CPI(M) leaderships’ persistent cover up for vulgarity not only discredits but also  exposes the hollowness of any CPI(M) led opposition to the TMC which on the contrary will be strengthened.

11 November, 2011