Skip to main content

TMC's six strategies to ensure its continued hold on West Bengal's captive vote bank

By Harasankar Adhikari 

Does a democratically elected government do anything regardless of what the chief of the government thinks? Does he or she not consider the economy of the state? Is it a process of empowerment of people in a democracy like India?
The TMC-led government of West Bengal is an example of discrimination against democracy and democratic rights. This populist government sinks into cheap populism. It has cultivated a culture of making people puppets. It has no real public support. But people support this government for various types of doles. Actually, it is a tactic not to express people’s democratic power because they get some doles from the government. It uses vote machineries (rigging, violence, and threat) to earn votes during elections.
It has given the people a full bag of donations in various forms. Laxmi Bhandar and donations to Durga Puja festival committees are examples of direct cash transfer programs. It grants a few crores of rupees to the local youth club in West Bengal for the purpose of sports and culture. But its impacts are rarely visible to the public. It was a programme designed to capture young voters for use during elections.
This government has borrowed about Rs. 6 lakh crore. It generates or collects revenues from the liqiour business. It has no other avenue for revenue. The state employees are not getting their dearness allowance in spite of the order of the honourable High Court of Calcutta. But it smoothly grants festive allowance to the Durga Puja festival committees of the state with due increment. This year, approximately 43000 festival committees will receive Rs. 258 crore for Durga Puja purposes. This government's various development schemes remain in place. As per the declaration of the government, it is due to a crisis of funds.
The TMC-led government of West Bengal has adopted clearly identified six strategies to ensure its captive vote bank for which it wins every election, in spite of anti-encumbrances. 
Firstly, it makes people beneficiaries of the government through various types of doles. People are highly praising this government because they are getting something which was previously absent. They do not like to lose this opportunity to support other political parties. They are afraid to lose it after the change in government. So, their support always lies with the current government. Second, this political party has captured the youth and youth organisations through the distribution of direct cash donations, which have been used for various political activities, particularly during election season.
Thereafter, it carefully plays the religious term card under the banner of secular politics. It provides a festival grant, an honorarium to the priest or mawlawi, and so forth. It has created a culture of corruption behind the development programmes which are under the trial of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI). The chief of the government has officially recognised corruption as the right of the TMC leaders or supporters. Even when the leaders of this party are under trial, the chief recognises them as brave. It is only to bind its supporters as if nothing is going on. It is only the opposition's politics. In the fifth strategy, it is surprising that the critics (intellectuals, activists, etc.) of the government are with this political party because of their vested interest. Those who are anti-government are threatened variously. Finally, this political party is deliberately using the administration (police) to suppress the anti-encumbrances. Fear, threats, and violence have become common tactics to uphold power.
As a consequence, the state is sinking into a deep crisis because of a lack of democratic discipline, authoritative administration, and an ongoing system of apiculture.

Comments

TRENDING

Sengol imbroglio suggests reason why Modi, BJP don't respect modern Indian history

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  The new parliament building opened on February 28. It looks it is not the Parliament but part of #Pratinidhisabhas ' started by earstwhile #princelystates in India. The #BJP for long has been acting as if India is a #Kingdom and Modi ji the new #King of India. Even at the coronations of Kings, you find a large number of people, and dignitaries but look at the opening ceremony we have only one face as if he build everything. Is it the dream of a republic.

Cave of Spleen - a feminist perspective: Status of women in early 18th century England

The Cave of Spleen: Aubrey Beardsley's illustration for Pope's “The Rape of the Lock” By Pragya Ranjan  "The Rape of the Lock" by Alexander Pope published in 1712 is a mock-heroic narrative which satirically glorifies trivial incident of cutting of locks of protagonist Belinda. This poem was written in the Augustan Era (1660-1784) which is marked by the period of scientific reason and rationality, whose effect can be seen on the writers of those times. This timeline is particularly important to analyse the episode of the Cave of Spleen.

Abrogation of Art 370: Increasing alienation, relentless repression, simmering conflict

One year after the abrogation by the Central Government of Art. 370 in Kashmir, what is the situation in the Valley. Have the promises of peace, normalcy and development been realised? What is the current status in the Valley? Here is a detailed note by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties , “Jammu & Kashmir: One Year after Abrogation of Art. 370: Increasing Alienation, Relentless Repression, Simmering Conflict”:

Release of dabang neta: Rule of law can't be allowed to be slave to political rhetoric

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  When we look to politicians for solutions and politics as the 'final solution' for every evil then we are disappointed most of the time. In politics, we knowingly or unknowingly become part of the propaganda tool of the ruling elite which exists everywhere across different castes. We often provide issues and talk about them in binaries which suit our elites. The minorities among the marginalised who have no political space and representation rarely get heard by these majoritarian parties whose agenda remain power communities. Every political party in today's time is following the 'successful' formula of 'democracy' which is keeping the 'powerful' 'jaatis' with them leaving aside the marginalised one. The BJP started this but yes they cobbled together all other communities too through a diverse narrative.

Discussion on making school education meaningful to vulnerable communities

ActionAid note on workshop to boost National Curriculum Framework operations: *** Leading educationists and activists striving to make education meaningful to vulnerable communities gathered in Delhi to discuss the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE). Acting in response to the call of the NCF Steering Committee appointed by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, ActionAid Association had organised the meeting to gather feedback on the draft NCFSE. This is part of ActionAid Association’s commitment to promote inclusive and gender-responsive education. The two-day national workshop titled ‘NCF Perspectives: Seeking Feedback on National Curriculum Framework (NCF)’ on May 30 and 31, 2023, was held at India International Centre, New Delhi. The workshop aimed to ensure a structured approach to gathering feedback from key stakeholders and enhancing their active participation in shaping the response sought by the Government of India. Stakeholders representing e

Why are 17 Indian cos, including Sterlite, blacklisted by Norway bank

By Venkatesh Nayak* Readers may recall the gory incidents that took place at Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) in Tamil Nadu in the southern part of India on 22 May, 2018. Thirteen protesters died on the spot when the police opened fire to disperse an assemblage of thousands of local residents and representatives of civil society groups. They were protesting against the adverse environmental impact of the industrial operations of Sterlite Copper which runs a copper smelter plant in the area. Accusations against the company have ranged from polluting local water resources to plans for expanding the installed capacity of the plant without the necessary environmental clearances. A ground report published in The Wire recently, mentions the decision taken by Norges Bank a few years ago to not invest funds from Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global (GPFG) in Sterlite “due to an unacceptable risk of complicity in current and future severe environmental damage and systematic human rights violations

J&K RTI activist denied opportunity to address audience, bring forward critical issues

Statement by Er. Irfan Banka, Founder of J&K RTI Foundation and convener of the Nalae Ferozpora Bachav Movement, regarding the incident of official misconduct during the My Town My Pride Jan Abhiyan Program and communication to Raj Bhavan: *** Er. Irfan Banka, a prominent RTI Activist and advocate, has come forward to address an incident of misconduct that occurred during the My Town My Pride Jan Abhiyan Program held at Mugam Town Hall in  Budgam. Additionally, Er. Irfan Banka has communicated the matter to Raj Bhavan, seeking appropriate action. During the event, Er. Irfan Banka was denied the opportunity to address the audience and bring forward critical issues concerning the people and services in the community, including waste management, traffic management, and the achievement of sustainable development goals. The incident involved the Additional Registrar Co-operative Kashmir, who not only prevented Er. Irfan Banka from speaking but also subjected him to public humiliation. E

Danger ahead: Smartphones making teens sexually smart, but mentally disturbed

By Harasankar Adhikari  We live in a digitally globalised society. Bombarded consumerism and imitation of foreign cultures and practises reshape our everyday lives. Life choices and lifestyles are the driving forces of modernity at present. People of almost all ages are within this realm and rhythm of consumerism for happiness.

Big challenge for environment movement: How to link with justice, peace movements?

By Bharat Dogra  The biggest hope for resolving life-threatening environmental problems of our planet increasingly rests now not with the world-level political leadership, which has failed miserably in many critical contexts, but instead with those highly committed environmental activists who have many significant achievements to their credit despite working in the middle of many difficulties. Alas, even they too are often grim today instead of being enthused because of the rather overwhelming conditions of world which force environment protection to go two steps backward even when the activists and movements achieve the difficult task of moving one step ahead.

Worship practice of Hindu religion in official functions should be considered appropriate

By NS Venkataraman* The new Indian parliament building was inaugurated with much fanfare, pomp and show by Prime Minister Modi befitting the occasion. While the magnificent building with several technological features was built in just over two years , the style and structure of the building has been acclaimed by millions of people who saw the inaugural programme. Those who saw this programme in person or in visual media could not miss the fact that the installation of Sengol ( Sceptre) was the hall mark of this elegant programme . In India, historically, Sengol is considered to be the symbol of justice and good governance.