By Aziz A. Mubaraki,
In a vivacious democracy like ours, the government and the opposition should be on constant dialogue with each other. For past many years in West Bengal, the two sides neither communicated nor agreed with each other on hosts of social, political and other issues. But recently the chief minister and the opposition leader in the state assembly- both jointly and devotedly, addressed a press conference and I see this as a welcome shift from the political culture that has long prevailed in Bengal.
There is hardly any doubt that a significant change in policy at the Writers Building has made this long-thought-impossible change, possible. Although for last few years Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress was the party of veto, her stratagem of never-relenting opposition to the then ruling Left Front government paid her off massively. But then, the former rulers’ superiority made her hostility look obligatory.
It’s too early to say if there will be any beneficial change in the outlook of our politicians. But indeed we have got the hint of the advent of a new political culture in Bengal. A new strength of conciliation and adjustment has to penetrate down to the political and governmental functionaries at the lower-most level. The rabid political enmity between the TMC and CPI (M) all these years has alienated Bengali society in such ways that civilized and coherent discussions between the two appears to be an impossible task. The opposition’s strategy of being negative to everything that a government did or proposed actually belittled our democracy, is disastrous for West Bengal’s financial and social order.
Now with the change at Writers, hopes are high that civilized debates and talks will resume between two switched sides and our state’s politics, which for long years was dominated by violence and naked show of irresponsible politics, will end with optimism of an economic recovery for Bengal.
Perhaps it is immature to imagine now that Bengal’s politicians will change their ways only because they have new roles assigned to them. However that is the alteration the state badly needs in order to recover itself from further economic decline.
Even though, Ms Banerjee’s first two months in office point to her assurance to change. But it will be interesting to see how she tackles the experienced opposition with her never-in-power and in-experienced ministers. It will also be imperative to watch as to how an ill-tempered Mamata can bring about the meaningful and promised “Change”.
(The author is Member, Advisory Committee (NSCB), Airport Authority of India
Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India)