Politicisation of every social and industrial aspect in West Bengal is playing havoc with the states economy and the quality of peoples lives. In todays digital world,its an uphill task to lift society without industry strengthening the economy. Currently,Bengali politics is only focused on roping in voters for the Assembly election. The sad story through this mudslinging is of the innocents who are losing their lives in the state every day over election politics.
My proposition to Bengali politicians is to drive the idea of the ruling party taking a selected few members of the Opposition party,as ministers in the ruling government. The Opposition should welcome the move. This paves the way for collaborative governance. Jawaharlal Nehru had similarly taken Syama Prasad Mookerjee of the Hindu Mahasabha and BR Ambedkar of the All India Scheduled Caste Federation into his cabinet post-Independence. An election fought by multiple political parties is in line with Indias democratic norms. Thats why,its important to avoid ruling with one political doctrine as in Chinas party rule. Its undesirable for political parties to politicise the publics every action,compelling people to go through party dictates,as is largely the situation in West Bengal today. If the winning party can respect the Opposition,the government can better concentrate on the states development. With whatever margin a political party wins,the Opposition represents a huge mass of people. Today,Opposition benches challenge governments every move,so nothing happens. Isnt it better for all parties to work collaboratively for the good of the people and economy? The common man/woman and the business community need total emancipation from obstructive,negative and deliberately destructive politics.
Most importantly,whats in store for West Bengals young generation? Researching societal trends these last 10 years,Ive defined three generations: the below-30-year Zappers whose mindset is attuned to globalisation,the 30 to 45-year-old Compromise,and the 45+ Retro. The latter two generations are in commanding positions in most stations of authority. Unless they yield to Zapper influence,Bengals future would remain paralysed. To get better TRP,the electronic media is inviting largely Retro generation speakers from the major parties who talk at cross purposes. No one is connecting to Zappers,nor is any analysis directed at them. A new West Bengal government can invite a talented few from the major Opposition party to participate in governance. Im not advocating an obligatory coalition government,but a voluntary move to co-opt the foe as friend. The defeated political party should never be considered the war front enemy. In West Bengal,political parties engulf everything in their wake,demarcate people as party supporters or non-supporters. This has to stop so as to prevent the violence and scoring of cheap political points at the cost of the people. Opposition politicians need to understand that to better serve people and increase chances of their own next win,they have to accept participating in government rather than devising ways to pull it down. The common man/woman of West Bengal demands the halt of government-Opposition confrontation politics. Shouldnt the ruling and Opposition parties display maturity and work together for the betterment of society and the economy? The situation is such that collaboration government is the only choice today.
Shombit Sengupta is an international creative business strategy consultant to top management. Reach him at http://www.shiningconsulting.com
