The Left, led by the CPI(M), is promising the country a Government at the Centre that will be "for the people". It is doing everything to create an impression that all the problems will be solved if a 'Third Front' comes to power. But before that one needs to look at Kerala, a Left-ruled State; its condition discredits its hyperbolic claims. Kerala's Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan is right now in a big fight not only with everyone in that State but also with most Communist leaders in the country -- both within and outside the CPI(M).

If one thinks the Left parties are fighting for the people's rights, he or she is mistaken. What they are clamouring for is not how to provide rice to people at a cheaper rate, but who will provide that rice -- the CPI or the CPI(M) -- and that too at Government's expense.

In Kerala, the price of rice has risen astronomically to be sold at Rs 21 per kg. The State Government is promising to supply rice at a lower rate through State-owned shop. The Centre was approached for additional rice allotment, but the UPA Government refused. It then negotiated with the West Bengal Government and an understanding was arrived. When everything seemed to be going fine, the war began between the CPI(M) and the CPI.

The agriculture and food department is under the CPI bosses. The Food Security Scheme is supposed to be administered by that department. The CPI Minister in-charge asked for more funds to implement the scheme, but the CPI(M)-led Finance Department refused. The CPI saw in that refusal a clear plan by the CPI(M) to cut it to size. A Cabinet meeting to consider the Food Security Scheme ended in a clash, with the CPI Ministers walking out.

Meanwhile, another drama was being played out. The Food department delegation went to Kolkata to settle the details of the rice import scheme from West Bengal. But the Marxist bosses in that State took a detour and decided to distribute rice in Kerala through the Co-operation Department under the Marxist control. This decision stunned the CPI as it would deprive it of managing the Food Security Scheme, with the Marxists taking all the credit for rice supply in Kerala.

The CPI and the CPI(M) have not stopped targeting each other. However, this is not the only occasion when the Marxists have turned against their so-called ally, the CPI. The two parties have attacked each other in the violence-ridden Kannoor district. Also they have conspired against each other in the land scam in Munnar. In that highland and tea growing area, the CPI owns a building that reports say the Communist leaders are using as a resort.

For the Marxist Chief Minister, the Munnar operation needed cancellation of all these land allotments there. Otherwise, the various landowners, including tea estates, would go to court. At first a law was promulgated to exempt buildings of political parties from eviction. Obviously, this was to placate the CPI. Then, some specific allotments (including the one made to the CPI) were also cancelled. The CPI naturally saw in it a ploy.

The Marxists are also extending their war against the people of the State to several institutions in Kerala -- from famous elite clubs to private schools and religious institutions. The Golf Club in Thiruvananthapuram and the Cochin Club in Kochi were sealed on one pretext or the other. In the case of the former, there was a clear advice to the Government from the Advocate-General that such a move would be against the law. But the Government went ahead even as the High Court was hearing a petition from the impugned club. This brought a stern warning from the court.

The communists are determined to break down every institution of the people on one pretext or the other. First they had the Devaswam Board filled with communist sympathisers and fellow travellers during the many innings the Left had in the state government. Now they are aiming at changing the rules of these temples and the traditions, with a large number of Hindu organisations protesting against such moves. In some institutions like Sree Narayana Guru Dharma Pracharini Sabha the split between two groups at its spiritual centre in Varkala is stated to be the result of Marxist conspiracy.

The communists are determined to break down every institution of the people on one pretext or the other. First they had the Devaswam Board filled with communist sympathisers and fellow travellers during the many innings the Left had in the state government. Now they are aiming at changing the rules of these temples and the traditions, with a large number of Hindu organisations protesting against such moves. In some institutions like Sree Narayana Guru Dharma Pracharini Sabha the split between two groups at its spiritual centre in Varkala is stated to be the result of Marxist conspiracy.

As the corruption deals in the temple trusts are tumbling out from the cupboards involving many of the earlier Marxist appointees, and the Marxist party itself exposed by the media for its many corrupt deals, the ruling party is resorting to new tricks to divert public attention. One of these tricks is to target Hindu ashrams. Police are raiding these ashrams, taking advantage of the people's revulsion at the misdeeds of some fake godmen.

The attempt to discredit religious institutions is not confined to Hindu ashrams. The CPI(M) has had a running battle with the Church over several issues after the ruling party failed to take over the growing number of self-financing professional colleges run mostly by Christians. The Kerala High Court invalidated several provisions of the law the ruling coalition got passed to capture these institutions in the name of regulating them.

Now the Women's Commission with Marxist appointees has recommended State intervention in the nunneries alleging that under-age women are being enticed to become nuns. The Church has hit back pointing out that its laws do not allow anyone below 16 to enter the convent to become a nun and that the final vows are taken only after the girl attains the age of 20. The Church is said to be watching the next step of the Marxists, but some Christian leaders are cautioning the ruling alliance that they would be forced to take up a "second liberation struggle" if it continues to interfere.

Meanwhile, the CPI(M) has not missed any occasion to criticise the High Court, the media and others, besides the Congress-led UDF, in its continuing confrontationist stand. Marxist leaders, including some Ministers, have criticised several High Court judges, prompting the court to caution that it would initiate contempt proceedings against these leaders.

The Left parties in India is at war with themselves and also with the rest of the country.

Courtesy: www.daioypioneer.com, June 13, 2008