We have to wonder whether this is part of the central CPM’s thought process. Nandigram was worth vigorous defence because the party’s political praxis was in question. But Singur is a simple case of private capital being politically harassed and therefore doesn’t perhaps offer the theoretical alleyways that are ideal places where Marxist politician-pundits can have their cake and eat it too. Perhaps, coming out in support of the Singur project will look too much like supporting a capitalist as he complains about his investment — that doesn’t fit very well with the grand narrative of American imperialism and global neo-liberalism, in which India is of course a victim.

The question of course is how long the central CPM can keep this paradigm in active circulation as it engages in post-UPA politics. It’s not that other politicians don’t have two or three or more faces. But they are mostly pragmatists. When jobs and economic welfare are at stake in their political powerbase they won’t keep quiet. Clever ideologues may have something to learn from them.