Wounds That Don't Heal

Soon after the win, the Congress had moved in to work out an alliance with Mamata. PCC president Pradip Bhattacharya says it was "evident that Bengal’s rural masses were unlikely to forget or forgive the state government for what they feel is a betrayal. This government has been going against the very force which has kept them in power".

Nandigram and Singur have become symbols of the government’s high-handedness. With the situation as it is, Left leaders are banking on pockets which were not affected by the two incidents. In an about turn, they are counting on the perceived support of urban youth and first-time voters who identify with the Left’s pro-industry policies. In fact, much of the Communist campaigning this time targets this group. Prominent billboards ask rhetorical questions like, "Are you going to vote for those who chased the Nano out of West Bengal?" and "Are you going to let the people who chased industry and jobs out of your state represent you in Delhi?"

The mood in the UPA camp is buoyant. Recent opinion polls seem to suggest that the Left will be down by 10-12 seats from the 35 it won in 2004.

POLL METER: Substantive gains for the Trinamool-Congress combine. Core issues: Nandigram and Singur.