New and improved Left Front retains power with promises to keep

Kolkata, May 11 (UNI) Thirty years may be nothing in eternity but the staggering Left win to retain power for the seventh consecutive term in Bengal is not merely due to the effervescent presence of Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.

Several factors are responsible for people looking Left in the state's 14th Assembly Election. In the last five years Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee did two things---admitted the false steps taken by his government and secondly made amends and move forward.

The government revamped the state's education policy reintroducing English in schools from the primary level, something abandoned earlier by the Left Front with thrust on educating the people on mother tongue.

Industry or the lack of it was a factor plaguing the state for a long time as industrialisation in the state degenerated. He focussed on the industry while keeping the progress unabated in the agro-sector. This 'impressed' the 'common man'.

The Chief Minister led from the front in opposing hard-line elements in trade union activity and indiscriminate bandhs, especially in the IT sector, showing a new and sparkling work-culture. He, with his band of ministers, restructured sick industries and privatized loss-making PSUs. And this had a widespread effect on the mind of the voters as the state emerged as 'the new destination.' Mr Bhattacharjee said, ''We made a mistake by refusing foreign investment. We need FDIs to move on the roads of progress and I am going to get it.'' This gave a sense of security to the investors with the unquestioned patronage of the left leader.

Japan, Russia and China are looking at West Bengal with renewed interest and the Salim Group of Indonesia has already invested here.

The government provided a red carpet for Indian industries, especially the IT sector.

The new voters felt comfortable in voting for a grey-haired 'bhodrolok' (gentlemen) Chief Minister who is not short of energy.

The floaters decided in his favour as they thought it would work in their favour. For the first time maybe the state government received the wholehearted backing of the industry, which has a big effect in the polls.

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