KOLKATA: The sweeping victory of Trinamool Congress in the assembly polls and an excellent performance in Jangalmahal — a Left Front citadel — could mean a breather for people in this violence-torn Maoist badland.
Trinamool managed to win in most of the worst-hit areas. The trend reveals that people voted against the CPM where the Maoists or their frontal organisations might have played an important role. It was a clear people's mandate. Left Front leaders have tried to explain their vote bank erosion in Jangalmahal as a result of the past two-year-long assault on their workers and leaders by the Maoists. "We have lost more than 250 workers and local leadership in two years," said a CPM district committee member in West Midnapore. But the theory cannot justify their defeat in Salboni and Midnapore Sadar assembly seats, where the party managed to gather its strength at least six months before the election. Even the Trinamool leaders were not confident about Salboni. "For the past 49 years, the CPI never lost Midnapore Sadar seat. This time we defeated them because people trusted us," said Mrigen Maity, Trinamool candidate in Midnapore.
People in Jangalmahal certainly trust Mamata Banerjee, who has been advocating dialogue to solve the Maoist problem. "People in Jangalmahal voted for Trinamool as they believe that Mamata can bring peace to them," said Gouranga Pradhan, Trinamool district general secretary in West Midnapore.
At the same time, it is also significant that tribal leader Chhatradhar Mahato, who is believed to be backed by the Maoists, has bagged more than 20,000 votes despite polarisation. Chhatradhar's considerable performance suggests that his core supporters, who once seized Jangalmahal joining hands with the Maoists, have leaned towards democracy, weakening the rebel theory of People's War. The result also hints that Chhatradhar, perhaps, eroded the Left vote bank and not the Trinamool support base.
In this changed scenario, it is quite likely that Trinamool will make all efforts to strengthen its organisation in Jangalmahal. But this could lead to a clash with the Maoists. And apprehending such a situation, much ahead of the polls, the Maoists had initiated a high- pitched campaign against Mamata, keeping her in the same bracket as the CPM, hinting that violence would continue in a new form. But people's support to Mamata this election will prevent the red brigade from stepping up violence. Rather, they are likely to wait for Mamata's next move.
"Within three months, I will solve the Maoist problem in Jangalmahal through dialogue," assured Mamata, soon after her win. She had earlier promised to release all political prisoners. So, the Maoists will probably wait to see how she responds and whether or not she fulfils her promises. Until then, Jangalmahal is likely to escape the mindless bloodbath.
Trinamool managed to win in most of the worst-hit areas. The trend reveals that people voted against the CPM where the Maoists or their frontal organisations might have played an important role. It was a clear people's mandate. Left Front leaders have tried to explain their vote bank erosion in Jangalmahal as a result of the past two-year-long assault on their workers and leaders by the Maoists. "We have lost more than 250 workers and local leadership in two years," said a CPM district committee member in West Midnapore. But the theory cannot justify their defeat in Salboni and Midnapore Sadar assembly seats, where the party managed to gather its strength at least six months before the election. Even the Trinamool leaders were not confident about Salboni. "For the past 49 years, the CPI never lost Midnapore Sadar seat. This time we defeated them because people trusted us," said Mrigen Maity, Trinamool candidate in Midnapore.
People in Jangalmahal certainly trust Mamata Banerjee, who has been advocating dialogue to solve the Maoist problem. "People in Jangalmahal voted for Trinamool as they believe that Mamata can bring peace to them," said Gouranga Pradhan, Trinamool district general secretary in West Midnapore.
At the same time, it is also significant that tribal leader Chhatradhar Mahato, who is believed to be backed by the Maoists, has bagged more than 20,000 votes despite polarisation. Chhatradhar's considerable performance suggests that his core supporters, who once seized Jangalmahal joining hands with the Maoists, have leaned towards democracy, weakening the rebel theory of People's War. The result also hints that Chhatradhar, perhaps, eroded the Left vote bank and not the Trinamool support base.
In this changed scenario, it is quite likely that Trinamool will make all efforts to strengthen its organisation in Jangalmahal. But this could lead to a clash with the Maoists. And apprehending such a situation, much ahead of the polls, the Maoists had initiated a high- pitched campaign against Mamata, keeping her in the same bracket as the CPM, hinting that violence would continue in a new form. But people's support to Mamata this election will prevent the red brigade from stepping up violence. Rather, they are likely to wait for Mamata's next move.
"Within three months, I will solve the Maoist problem in Jangalmahal through dialogue," assured Mamata, soon after her win. She had earlier promised to release all political prisoners. So, the Maoists will probably wait to see how she responds and whether or not she fulfils her promises. Until then, Jangalmahal is likely to escape the mindless bloodbath.
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