Left Front is in power in West Bengal since 1977. The situation of the State at that time was worst in every respect. With its limited power and resources the Left Front Government tried to serve the interest of the people. As a result of its efforts, the State witnessed development in many respects.

Since the Left Front Government came in power, the political parties' opposition to the Left Front and the media frantically had started campaigning against the Left Front Government. They tried to make the people understand that the Left Front Government failed in every respect to protect the interest of the people. They are so enthusiastic in this matter that instead of trying to search the causes for sufferings of the people, they made the Left Front Government responsible for such sufferings.

Following global crisis and policy of liberalisation pursued by the Government of India, when the industries are facing deep crisis, when the Government of India itself is deciding closure of public sector industries, they do not find anything wrong in the policies pursued by the Government of India. Though they need not take time to announce that the phenomenon of industrial crisis, sickness, closures, etc. are the results of inefficiency of the Left Front Government and the irresponsibility of the trade union movement.

Despite all these motivated campaigns, what is the reality? On 15 January, Mr. Sudhir Jalan, President of FICCI said at a Press conference in Calcutta that West Bengal now tops the list of States in the country for investment in industries. He identified the improved law and order situation, developed infrastructure, unhindered supply of power, a reserve of skilled technicians, upswing of productivity, lesser number of man-days lost, development of transport communications as some of the positive aspects of the State. He also mentioned about the negative attitude of the media towards industrialisation in West Bengal and stressed the media to highlight the pragmatic policies of the State Government.

The National Crime Records Bureau of the Government of India also indicates that the crime rates are the lowest in Calcutta. The crime rate per one lakh population in 1997 was 18.17 in Calcutta, whereas the corresponding crime rates were 113.66 in Patna, 106.91 in Pune, 103.25 in Bangalore. 90.72 in Nagpur, 84.18 in Kanpur, 56.45 in Delhi, 37.52 in Lucknow, 36.62 in Ahmedabad, 34.22 in Hyderabad, 30.82 in Mumbai and 18.31 in Chennai.

It can not be denied that about 10 percent of India’s consumer live in West Bengal. Steps like distribution of surplus land to the landless peasants, high level of agricultural production, decentralisation of power through Panchyat bodies for development, etc., have drastically reduced the level of rural poverty. Dismal power situation of the State during Congress regime has radically been changed.

Lots of improvements in various spheres of life have been identified by various agencies from time to time, but they do not see all these positive aspects of the Left Front Government. What do they really want, development of the State or replacement of the Left Front by some other?

^{18th January 1999.}