(Feature)
The different denominations of Left parties in India seem to be at the brink of a breakdown, where they have been teetering for the last many months. The reasons are not far to seek.

It includes a turf war in West Bengal and Kerala, grass roots level violence in on going panchayat elections, deathly attacks on rival political groups, in which the lesser in size parties: Communist Party of India, Revolutionary Socialist Party and Forward Bloc have become none too discreet about the arm twisting wasy of big brother Communist Party of India (Marxist).

At the Central level, where the Left parties are rendering outside support to the Congress led United Progressive Alliance government, their position has become shaky if not verging on redundance that would be underscored when the general elections of 2009 actually take place. With the Left Front feud peaking in West Bengal and the government controlled by it in Kerala virtually paralyzed, as of now CPI(M) has no stomach for political adventurism.

Although it acknowledges that continuation in the UPA entails a huge political cost, the CPI(M) is yet not ready to back CPI's demand that they snap ties with Congress Party. However, it is likely that CPI(M) may take fresh look at its relations with UPA after the results of Karnataka State Assembly elections and West Bengal panchayat elections are out and Congress suffers a setback. CPI(M), the only Left party which has refrained from declaring that Left parties would withdraw support to the UPA, would first examine its own backyard to see if it was in a position to face elections on its own, before taking any decision.

Differences within the Left Front are in the open with RSP ministers accusing the CPI(M) of murdering democracy in West Bengal. CPI(M) also does not agree with CPI's strategy that the Left could withdraw support if the Government went ahead with the nuclear deal, but not pull out and looks upon it as a half hearted approach. The matter will be threshed out at several meetings slated to be held between May 22 and 29.

The CPI(M) is in favour of sending a strong message to the UPA that Left was losing patience with the Government's approach towards issues like price-rise. There is also thinking within the Left parties that withdrawal of support on a popular issue would help it politically in the fight against the Congress in the Left strongholds. It may be remembered, it was CPI which had favored joining the UPA government when it was formed, while CPI(M) had decided to lend support from outside. In the Andhra Pradesh by-elections, CPI(M) has aligned with Telugu Desam Party, the Congress chief rival, while CPI has decided to fight it out alone.

Even though there is a veneer of sanity in differences at the Central level, in West Bengal the picture is drowned in blood and violence at the grass roots level on May 13 eight persons including an infant were killed and at least 45 others injured in separate incidents of violence and during the second phase of polling for panchayat elections in West Bengal. While a series of clashes at Basanti in South 24 Parganas resulted in three Revolutionary Socialist Party supporters being shot dead, allegedly by CPI(M) supporters and a CPI(M) Krishak Sabha leader gunned down in retaliation, two CPI(M) activists were killed when crude bombs they were making exploded in the Lakshmikantapur of Nadia, the same night. The worst of the poll related violence was reported from Basanti where supporters of RSP clashed with CPI(M) cadres as both partners in the Left Front resorted to muscle flexing to influence voting in the villages there. Police said three RSP supporters were allegedly shot dead by CPI(M) activists during clashes at Amjhara village. RSP supporters also alleged that CPI(M) cadres had set some of their houses on fire.

The clashes peaked when polling booths in Haldarpara village in Taldih area had to be stopped; the presiding officer had a fainting fit when CPI(M) activists forced their way inside the polling booths and went on a rampage. As the day wore on and a huge police contingent was deployed at the troubled spots in Basanti, there were reports that RSP activists had snatched two rifles from policemen. The car of a Socialist Unity Centre of India MLA was allegedly vandalized by CPI(M) activists at Raghunathpur in Joynagar. An hour latter, a CPI(M) Krishak Sabha leader was killed by RSP supporters in Kharmachan. A defensive Mr. Raj Kanojia IG Law and Order later said political violence had erupted despite the presence of Rapid Action Force and Border Security Force personnel in Basanti.

Political observers in West Bengal say Basanti where RSP has a strong hold and where a state cabinet minister's house was attacked and set on afire has been a tradition of rivalry between CPI(M) and RSP. CPI(M) plays second fiddle there and acts as the opposition, with neither Trinamool nor the Congress Party having any base. As in previous elections, this year too the two parties failed to come to any understanding and both fielded candidates against each other. Basanti in a sense symbolized the Left's disunity in these polls. According to one estimate of the 41,000 gram panchayats in the state. CPI(M) unilaterally fielded over 36,000 seats. It barely left 4,500 seats to be shared between eight other LF constituents, which the LF partners refused to agree on. As a result, Forward Bloc and RSP fielded candidates un about 5000 seats where the CPI(M) also put up candidates.

State Chief Minister constituted a committee to defuse the crisis arising out of the violence, but not much is likely to emerge on a permanent basis. Clearly, Left versus Left will lead to a volatile situation that will do the Left Front no good.

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