Precious minutes

It was a remarkable gesture. Mamata Banerjee,triumphant after what is being seen as a tipping point in her long visceral battle against West Bengals ruling Left Front,making a courtesy call on Jyoti Basu,CPM veteran and for long years the man who embodied the Left rule she has wanted to overturn. She came to his Salt Lake residence in Kolkata,she said,to talk politics and wish him good health. He,at 94 aware of the march of time,congratulated her and wished her the best for the next election. She also wanted to talk politics,she added,but the presence of others in the room was inhibiting.

You dont just have to know the Trinamool-Left feud to understand how exceptional this meeting is as another proof of the enduring civilities of Indian democracy. Alas,you also just have to take stock of the manifestation of that feud after Verdict 2009 to fear that it could remain an isolated show of civility. Violence between Left and Trinanool cadres continues unabated in East Midnapore district last week Trinamool claimed the recapture of Khejuri in a bloodless coup.

Politics is transacted in an entirely unique manner in Bengal,and it is unclear whether there will be any let-up in the cycle of retribution and revenge as the Left and Trinamool try to consolidate their strongholds in advance of the big event the 2011 assembly elections. In fact,Banerjees unwavering,but also exclusive,focus on that election raises concerns about her stewardship of the Central railways portfolio just as there are concerns about the Bengal governments resolve to have the rule of law instated in vast tracts of the state. For her part,Banerjee should realise that relinquishing the militant attitude and delivering as a Union minister would better her prospects in 2011.