That recommendation to prioritise development over discarded articles of ideology will, in any case, be tested in Kerala. The LDF is sharply divided there between the hardliners and the reformers. The Buddhadeb model has not just secured West Bengal for the communists. It has given them appeal beyond their traditional supporters. It provides a way of altering the terms of political combat in Kerala and cultivating a constituency for economic progress — instead of simply relying on a sliver of swing voters to shuffle the alliances at election time. As this round of elections has shown, the voter can be deeply gracious in acknowledging good governance.
Epaper
Newsletter
Stocks
Weather
Horoscope
