CALCUTTA, NOV 5: The august mantle of Chief Minister falls on Buddhadev Bhattacharjee as Jyoti Basu demits office tomorrow at a crucial juncture when the CPI(M)-Led ruling Left Front faces a tough challenge from its main political opponent Trinamool Congress in next year's West Bengal Assembly elections.With the elections barely six months away, Bhattacharjee, the seventh Chief Minister of the state, will have to walk a tight-rope to keep the nine-party Left coalition poised for the polls and ensure its return to power for the sixth consecutive time.A member in the Basu cabinet since the first Left Front's tenure in 1977, Bhattacharjee was nominated Basu's successor after he announced his decision to retire on health grounds. Considered the second man in the cabinet, he has been Basu's deputy for less than a year to relieve the burden of the 87-year-old Chief Minister.An experienced Minister and senior CPI(M) leader, Bhattacharjee has been advised by Basu to ensure smooth functioning of the state administration as also the coalition's unity prior to the polls.Political observers feel that Basu's exit from the corridors of power will prove to be an initial hindrance for the Bhattacharjee team. Besides, "dissidence" in the CPI(M) on various issues and resentment among some of the Front partners over the new leadership may pose problems for the new Chief Minister.That it would not be easy going for Bhattcharjee was evident from the fact that three major Front partners-Forward Bloc, RSP and CPI- protested against acceptance of Basu's resignation by the CPI(M), at the last Front meeting.The constituents, largely dependent on Basu's leadership, wanted the CPI(M) to allow him to lead the Left Front till the next Assembly elections. However, their protests were not entertained by big brother CPI(M). Bhattacharjee's nomination as Basu's successor was "unanimous" at the Front meeting held on October 28.Observers felt that these partners were apprehensive that the Front's poll prospects might be affected by Basu's absence as head of the government. However, Basu, was determined to step down this time despite requests from the constituents and advised them "to maintain the way we worked over these 24 years".With the industrial scenario looking up lately in this Left-ruled state under Basu's stewardship, trade and industry would put the functioning of the Bhattacharjee government under a microscope, particularly its efforts to improve the investment scenario and the labour situation.The 56-year-old new Chief Minister, who has a penchant for art and literature, was in charge of the Information and Culture departments, and given additional responsibility of the Home (Police) department in the Basu cabinet - a critical sector of the administration which has been the subject of criticism by opposition parties.
