Surjya Kanta Mishra is known as the face of the Left Front-Congress combine in West Bengal. Though it’s not official yet, he’s understood to be the front’s CM candidate. In an interview to BusinessLine , Mishra spoke about the need to oust an “autocratic” ruling party, resolve the industry vs agriculture debate, define the priorities for the Alliance, and handle the Singur impasse after coming to power.
The Left has opposed the Congress. Then how did the two form an alliance?
This is a not an just alliance between the Congress and the CPI(M) or Left Front. It is something wider. The call is not for an eighth Left Front government. It is to have a government of left, democratic and secular forces. On a larger perspective, some of the other alliance partners include parties like Jharkhand Party (Naren), JD(U), NCP, RJD and other left parties who are not a part of the Left Front. The aim is to overthrow an autocratic regime and protect the secular credentials of the State. This is one of the most corrupt State governments.
The understanding or alliance had its roots in the joint peasant and trade union rallies that spontaneously happened sometime back. You can say the initiative came from us too.
Why not name it?
The man on the street has given the alliance a name — People’s Alliance.
What will the Left-Congress’ priority be, if it comes to power?
Restoration of democracy and maintaining the secular nature of the government. There are attacks on the Opposition, both inside and outside the Legislative Assembly, the Human Rights Commission has been weakened, media personnel are attacked and sessions court judges feel insecure. Nobody is being spared by the Trinamool Congress government.
What are your comments on the the industry vs agriculture debate that is raging in the Left parties?
Nowhere in the world can agriculture and industry be separated from one another. History shows that what is called as the agrarian revolution paved way for industrial revolution. It is agriculture that generates surplus, provides raw material for industry and also provides the market for industry.
What happens to the Left’s previous poll promise of industrialisation?
What we have said is Left Front has set the base. We carried out land reforms in the State and that has ensured equitable distribution of growth including impact on poverty. The annual market for industrial goods had been growing in double digits; we had the highest small savings (numbers) among other States because there was a continuity and stability in governance. People often forget, but the NSSO data shows that in the last seven years of Left Front, the highest employment in manufacturing was achieved by West Bengal, ahead of States like Gujarat. By manufacturing I’m also including the small and medium industries. In the last 12 years of Left Front, West Bengal saw the highest number of operating small and medium enterprises. But, we want to move ahead and have larger manufacturing companies, growth in ancillaries and this will lead to an increased growth in the service sector.
And what priority do you give to resolving the impasse at Singur?
The Chief Minister’s so-called promise to return land to unwilling farmers in Singur has failed. We from the Left and I, in particular, had been critical of the Singur Act in the Assembly. We had said there is no need to have an Act to justify an action that was unconstitutional. In our opinion the State government should have negotiated the matter with the Tatas instead of this protracted legal battle. Singur today looks like a burial ground. We have promised that we do not want to pursue the case (with Tatas) when the Alliance comes to power. The land will be used for industrialisation.
What about the unwilling farmers there?
Everybody understands that the Singur movement was a fiasco and that land cannot be returned. First of all, most of the farmers in Singur were willing. And, even amongst the unwilling, many have learnt by experience and have become willing. The problem is with the attitude of this State government.
Alliance partners are projecting you as Chief Minister…
True, but that is not important. After elections the constituents have to elect their leader in the Assembly. The Chief Minister is made by the legislators. The Left Front will honour that.
The CPI(M) is a structured party, compared to many of its allies. So how easy will it be for the Alliance to work together?
See, people have come together asking for the Alliance. Their aim is to oust the Trinamool government. Organisations are important, but it has to keep in mind what the people wants and what the Alliance has been set up for.
What happens if you lose?
There is no such thing as retirement for a communist. There are various important activities in the party like being an advisor, or a teacher to new recruits. Other things that I can do include chronicling experiences to benefit others.