Biswas death a blow for Bengal CM, UPA

The untimely demise of Anil Biswas, state secretary of the CPI(M) in West Bengal, could be a big setback not only to the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee government in the state but also the UPA government at the centre, which has been banking on the Chief Minister of West Bengal to convince the CPI(M) leadership of the need for labour and pension reforms and FDI in the retail sector.

There is now a big question mark on the future of reforms pursued by Bhattacharjee although the CM said in an interview to a private television channel on Sunday evening that he remains committed to reforms.

With complete control over the organisation down to the grassroots, Biswas was instrumental in facilitating the transition in the state's economy and acted as a cushion against attacks from "hardliners" in the party.

"But for Comrade Biswas, Bhattacharjee could not have managed it (reforms). The fact is - there is resentment against the government's reformist policy among a large section of party cadre. They will all come down hard on Bhattacharjee after the elections," a senior left leader from West Bengal said.

He cited the developments at the Hindustan Motors factory in Hooghly where workers have switched over from the CPI(M)-backed trade union CITU to the CPI-backed trade union AITUC led by Gurudas Dasgupta.

"Biman Bose is another leader who commands as much clout as Biswas in the organisation. He is also not very comfortable with reforms. No other leader is tall enough to shut off the growing uneasiness among hardliners," party sources said.

In the absence of Biswas, hardliners in the CPI(M), especially those affiliated to CITU, are set to turn the heat on after the elections. Asked about the aggressive attitude of the trade unions, the CM said in the interview that he will try to convince them and even if he fails he will carry on with reforms.

As for the IT industry, which has been under attack from trade unions since last September, Bhattacharjee asserted that no outsider (trade union activists) would be allowed to enter the IT campuses. He said that he had sent experts to convince the unions about the difference between the jute industry and the IT industry.

Trade unions have been opposed to labour and pension reforms, but Bhattacharjee has been pushing for it in party forums including the Politburo. It was under his pressure that the CPI(M) decided not to target the IT industry. But, as left sources said, Bhattacharjee's commitment to reforms will come under scrutiny after the elections.