Nandigram makes CPM face political isolation

POLITICAL ISOLATION: Though the UPA has been subdued in its reaction to Nandigram, all other political factions are outraged.

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New Delhi: The CPI(M) has been completely isolated on Nandigram and is finding it tough to counter the fall-out.

While the CPM General Secretary blamed the violence on the Trinamool-Naxal link, UPA allies have preferred to be subdued in their reaction.

Meanwhile, Left intellectuals are out in protest on the streets of the Capital, convinced that the atrocities in Nandigram are only comparable to Gujarat.

This view is held by historian Sumit Sarkar, who says, "What they have been doing merely amounts to a kind of repetition of Gujarat."

CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat has risen to the West Bengal government's defence by falling back on the man he has been critcising the most, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

"Prime Minister says the Maoists are the single biggest threat to national security today," he said.

Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee has had a successful bandh in West Bengal and for once, the fiery politician is on a strong wicket.

"Where are the human rights? Where are the civil rights? Where is the civilized society?" she demanded.

Though these developments should ideally smooth the path of the Congress which is seeking the Left's support on the nuclear deal, the party, however, does wish to take the risk of offending the CPI(M) and hence, the UPA's reaction to the Nandigram crisis has been extremely guarded, with Spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi saying, "Congress views the events at Nandigram with the gravest concern."

The Bengal Congress is furious over developments, however.

I&B Minister Priyaranjan Das Munshi called Nandigram state-supported violence and declared, "It’s a decisive, organized, calculated move!"

The BJP has expressed its outrage and has despatched a team to Nandigram but has stopped short of demanding President's rule.

"The central government must ask the governor to report on the situation in West Bengal," recommended senior BJP leader L K Advani, adding that there is no need for President's rule in the state.

For the CPI(M), Nandigram has fast become a lesson in political isolation.