During the last 33 years of Left rule in West Bengal, local cadres of the CPM got transformed into a new ruling class with enormous and unquestionable power in their hands. The people realised that their old comrades have become their new enemies. It is quite possible that the former Naxalites and democratised Naxalites might have played an important role in enhancing this realisation. When we look at the Maoist problem in West Bengal, we should not overlook this historical context.

From among the old Naxalites, only a very small minority might have joined or maintained contacts with the new class of militarised Maoists. The majority of the old Naxalites definitely played a role in the struggles and campaigns like Nandigram. So their political connection with the Trinamool Congress and others is quite apparent and this is nothing intriguing. The Maoists, too, have claimed that they had a role in Nandigram. It’s possible, but a minor role. Lalgarh, however, seems to be a major entry point in Bengal for the Maoists who, in recent years, have been militarily organising in the eastern states.

Two years ago, the Maoists’ central leadership had evaluated and admitted openly that they were not able to attract cadres from the youth and the working class as was possible earlier. That situation has not changed much even now. In states such as Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Jarkhand, Bihar and now West Bengal, where they are able to exhibit their military presence through armed actions, they are unable to expand their influence among the people except in pockets of tribals or the most backward areas of these states.

... contd.