Right turn

Communist Party of India (Maoist) is ideologically opposed to India’s “pseudo-democracy” and had, accordingly, festooned its core area of West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia districts with banners and posters urging people to boycott the Assembly elections. Now, the party appears to have had a change of heart. Politburo member Mallojula Koteshwar Rao alias Kishenji has asked voters in these areas, where polls were due on May 7 and 10, to cast their ballots without fear. He even called for an end to three decades of Left rule.