One of the oft-repeated slogans in recent years has been the call for power to the people. But most governments step back when faced by the demand for implementation of the same. It is here that the Left led governments of West Bengal, Tripura and Kerala have shown beyond doubt their eagerness and sincerity. The only way to percolate power to the grass-root level happens to be decentralisation of power and authority. So long as the Congress Party was in power at the Centre, it tried to centralise more and more power and usurped the powers given to the state under the Constitution of India. The BJP, which is at present in power at the centre, does not believe in decentralisation and federation. This party openly advocates for a unitary from of government with a presidential system. It is also a believer in the ideology of one religion, one culture, and one nation. The idea of Hindu, Hindutwa and Hindu Rashtra forms the cream of there philosophy.

The Left-led government of West Bengal, Tripura and Kerala has taken and has been taking steps to decentralise power and authority through Panchayat systems and autonomous hill and tribal bodies. In West Bengal the success of the Panchayat system has attracted attention of the experts throughout the world and also of the people in general. The Left Front Government in West Bengal has developed substantial power and authority to the local bodies. These bodies are now being regularly elected and are undertaking the planning and implementation of development schemes relevant to the local priorities. These bodies are gradually being the authority to look after primary education, primary health Centres and local distribution of electricity. There has been considerable growth of small and cottage industries, fisheries, pisiculture, sericulture, poultry farming and such other sectors. Agriculture has recorded nonprecendented growth. All these have created a base marketing of industrial products. This has opened up possibilities of new and modern industries. The Left Front Government in West Bengal has taken a programme of industrialisation, which is being implemented. West Bengal is on the path of rapid advancement.

^{7th June 1999.}