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Journalism of Courage
If it were not for the mutual,often violent,ill-will between the primary players,politics in West Bengal would comprise only symbolism and rhetoric,with a little substance thrown in once in a while. While Mamata Banerjees government,after eight months,shows neither the imagination nor the intent to change the essential narrative,the CPMs state secretary,Biman Bose,has come out with a Republic Day call to transform the party from top to bottom so that it becomes acceptable again.
Its not the first time the CPM has made public its recognition of the need to change itself,but this has been its first opportunity to think aloud with the new governments honeymoon period clearly over. Banerjee isnt vulnerable yet. But on several fronts,whether farmer suicides or the ugly tussle with the Congress,the Trinamool Congress has exposed itself to severe criticism. Boses exhortation to change and his claim that the communists dont care if they are in power or not,come still too soon to engender a visible uplift in Left morale. The Left Front,and the CPM,were vanquished in last years assembly polls. And ground held firmly for three-plus decades,once lost,will not come back easily. However,its important for the CPM to draw the right lessons and reform in the right direction. Thats where their challenge,and danger,lie.
