When I grew up, I lived in a muffasil town; old people used to say that a local 'king', named  "Kotlu Khan",  had built a fort (durga) in the locality long long time ago. After I read Durgesh-Nandini by Bankim Chandra, I wanted to visit Kotlu kha'r Garh/durga at least once. I asked my father where it was, he was not sure. That day me and my brother realized the limitations of a small lower middle-class family with petty contacts. The other day when I went to a "big bank", I remembered my grandfather and my father, and I also wondered whether they ever wrote a cheque on any bank! I also got the strange feeling of entering "kotlu kha-r garh", since the building was an old-style fort-like structure. The same day, I was looking at the nice big buildings away from my room, as well as the houses around my place. I donot know any one of the owners/inhabitants; and if my students were to know of my ignorance, they would discover the limitations of my local contacts/connections . I am no better connected inside "lal durgh" or "lal garh" --- the citadel of leftist cluture, thought and action.  Neither was my father, like me he could have known one or two MLA/MP and Kolkata minister!

 Once upon a time my very young brother asked me how I could go to places father had not been to! I must have told him something; but the point remains the same, going to a place where one's father had never been to, was not/ is not an easy thing and would not be an easy ordeal to live with. Lal garh proves no exception. But would the other "durgas" be easier and safer to access? 

Rise of Congress:
If you go by the numbers, Congress got more seats than the exit poll suggested. Trinamul Congress got more than they had hoped for (see the Kolkata results). Gowda got only three seats. Mayabati lost beyond anticipation. Essentially third front lost, Congress and Trinamul gained. You don't se any third front, only "left front" and others (i.e. total four groups of votebanks. Congress, BJP and the left views Indian scenario from Delhi and London; the fourth category usually appear to be regional linguistic propertied class. So in summary the "left front" in Delhi accepted a defeat. Among the other groups, SP might be the "regular and steady supporter" of the Congress-led government.

As the elections results were getting clearer, people were praying to their own Gods speculating on the stock market. Those who remembered the crash from 2004 were relieved by the "Golden Monday"; but may not had made money if they were anticipating a fall. Apparently Manmohan Government brought a bullish trend. But commies would say that the share prices are so high that they cannot buy.

New Career for Mamata:

Sidhubabu became popular in Delhi with India Gandhi and Ambika Soni. He had good connections, and proved his mettle in containing the left (CPIM and Naxals) insurgency in West Bangal. Eventually he became Governor and then Ambassador. Is the time coming for Mamata Bannerjee for a bigger role? For example after her term in Delhi, A governor in Kerala and an Ambassador in Ghana. 

Debacle of the Left:
When I was very young, I liked Jyoti-babu, Sidhu-babu and Profulla-babu as a speaker; I could see them as my "reasonable teachers" --- as regards their delivry, voice, accent and content, essentially what made their public image. But when I listen to Mr. Karat or Mrs Karat or Mr. Yechuri (remember that they were mentored by the doyens of left (Sundaraya, Harkishan, Namboodiripad), they appear to be "telling me" and I have difficulty identifying/empathising. I remembered their 30-40's; they have changed; I also have changed. Summarily they are not being able to win the "faith" of "rovers" like me.

During the 1970's the left under Jyoti-babu and Charu-babu were totally crushed. But that became one of the reasons for Mr. Jyoti Basu becoming one of the powerful men in Indian politics. Is that happening Mrs. Mamata Bannerjee now? Or would Mr. Karat become the most powerful man after this debacle. Anwsers to these questions wold tell us whether Trinamul Congress a new and significant political development in West Bengal, or an offshoot of DelhiCongress trying to manage local left politics.

Bengalis of my age, of all parties, would split their hairs about "unity of the opposites", "quality and quantity" and "unity and struggle". Some of my students, from SFI families know all those thing much more than me. But I still wonder how Mr. Jyoti Basu remained in center stage from 1950 through 2009! I had the same question in my mind when I read the obituary of Prabhakaran (LTTE). Why is it that he could fight the official government with his own army and banks, and still living in a small strech of land (several hundred square kilometers at the most) ---- is it related to the equations of the big brothers like RAW, CIA, M16 etc? Debacle of the left also have to be read along with their relation with CIA, ISI, RAW, and KGB. 

Why suddenly RAW/ CIA /ISI/KGB came into picture? Because they are the pepole, directly or indirectly, who manage cash (banks and brokers with thousands and thousands of crores) and capital (ownership and management of land, housing, companies etc.).  Without their sponsorship, "big bourgeosie" won't pay. 

How are they different? For exaple if I were to contest with Mamata Banerjee and Subhash Chakrabarty for the same job in Jadavpur University, whom do you hink CIA or RAW would support. Of course not me; I could only be a "slumdog sarbahaara"  

Why Not Just One Party at Delhi?

The other day when we had been discussing the exit poll results, and possible formation of coalition government (it was before the final resulats were out), one young student found a very siimple solution ---- Congress-BJP coalition at the centre. I laughed and told them that Gowdas tried coalition with both Congress and BJP; and so did Mamata Bannerjee. It is like saying A=B and A=C and hence B=C! So it is always possible that Congress could merge with BJP and rule as one-party from Delhi. The situation was like that from 1950-- to 1975; but not exactly as a coalition at the central government. BJP and Congress had collaborated outside USA. But I doubt if they could jointly run an effective, smooth, competitive and active government, since they might not agree on many issues. The question goes back to asking why Mr. Jyoti Basu dis not join Congress in the 1960's (towards the end of Nehru's rule) to become chief minister after BC Roy? Mr. Shibdas Ghosh (SUCI) asked the same question to the three fraction of the communists, as to why they could not make left movement under SUCI stronger?  

Such interesting ideas are good thought (as utopian and harmless as staying out of politics!); but  is not possible due to many practical reasons; concerned parties would not agree about their income!  Consider what would happen if Americans were the only legal government; and HH the Pope the only leader, and HM Charles were the only monarch. And if my father wre the only father!!!!!

If there were only one party based on this years election results, following would be my choice for the all-party cabinet:

1. Left Front:  No ministers, but voting members in the parliamentary commitees on fince, eduation, labour, housing  and judiciary.

2.  Laloo Prasad:  Railway Minister

3. DMK: One cabinet (Culture) with 2 MOS

4. BJP: 5 cabinet (including Defence and Metallurgy)

5. Trinamul: 1 cabinet (broadcasting) and 2 MOS

6. Congress plus Others (including AIDMK, BSP, SP etc..)

with 1 Bengali minister for IIT;
1 parsi minister for IISc/TIFR;
1 Muslim minister for banking/stock market;
1 Christian minister for urban development;
1 Tamil minister for nanotech
1 Mumbaikar for commerce

 Why discriminate against Mamata and the Left. You go through the net assets (declared) of the Congress Cabinet ministers (see TOI figures). Unless the Left or Mamatadidi have rich sponsors (e.g. Tatas) they would not become good ministers (i.e. "someone getting things done"); they could only articulate unhappiness and expose injustices!

 What Difference Does It Make to Me?

"Bel Pakle Kaker Ki?"

 I cared about my flat only in Jadavpur, and I could not buy. Now I care about my flatonly  in Bangalore, and I doubt if I would. All of the parties believe that I am a "nichutalar dhodasaap",  or at best a "slumdog sarbahaaraa".

SG,
Bangalore,
May 22, 2009.