Trying to oblige industrialists, it protected criminals convicted for murder and the middle class voter was disillusioned with the WB government. The strategic alliance between congress and TMC resulted in a rout for CPM. Instead of using their parliamentary clout for economic packages for the state, it tried to hijack economic and foreign policy, alienated the congress party, acted as a spokesman for chinese interests, opposed India US nuclear deal, praised Iran's nuclear programme and insisted on India's support to it.
Unlike Chandrababu Naidu of TDP during NDA rule 2000 - 2004 ,Nitish Kumar of JD(U) and Navin Patnaik of BJD, the CPM has done precious little for WB which has been sending a large contingent of MP's. It richly deserved the decimation it received from the electorate.
Banu S
II Stage, 'D' Block
3rd Main, Rajajinagar
Bangalore - 560 010
Published 22 May 2009, 11:13 IST