‘The CPI(M) Has To Change Its Attitude To Win Bengal’

The communists have always spoken in a unified voice. Defying norms, a CPI(M) cabinet minister is now speaking out against the party. In his second term as Land and Land Reforms Minister, Abdur Rezzak Mollah, 67, is perhaps the lone voice of dissent within the CPI(M). The son of peasants who cultivated paddy and vegetables, his political journey began when he joined the CPI(M) farmers’ union as a student of Calcutta University. A minister in the Bengal government since 1982, he has stalled land acquisition projects in his assembly constituency by threatening to resign. In a candid interview, he tells TUSHA MITTAL why his party may not return to power.

What factors lead to the CPI(M)’s unprecedented defeat in Bengal?
This happened because of land acquisition. The shift of 27 percent of the minority vote to the Trinamool Congress also played a role. Young Muslims are unhappy with the CPI(M) because they are not getting equal opportunities. The opposition clearly explained the contents of the Sachar Committee report.

Has the CPI(M) begun to consider Mamata Banerjee a real political threat? What role did she play in the defeat?
This Mamata is a new Mamata. She is more mature and politically savvy. She has learnt how to handle issues. Her slogan of Maa, mati, manush (mother, land, people) connected with the voters. They have faith in her. She is obviously a threat to the CPI(M). People voted in favour of Mamata, not in favour of the Trinamool Congress.

Were you against the acquisition of land in Nandigram and Singur? How would you do it differently?
I was against it, but they did not listen to me. Land is the most important thing to farmers — they value it more than their sons and daughters. We should not acquire fertile land, only dry barren land. The government should pick the land and purchase it directly. Why should we allow industrialists to choose?

What is your view on the idea of SEZs?
SEZs are not good because local people don’t get any facilities or income. The companies export their products outside and engage their own labour. They do not create jobs for the locals.

What you are saying is significant. It completely contradicts the Bengal government line. Are others in the party starting to agree with you?
I said these things earlier but nobody listened to me. Even now, total realisation is not there. Nandigram and Singur should be the biggest impetus to stop haphazard land acquisition.

Is there a rethink on industrialisation? Will we see major policy changes ahead of the 2011 state polls?
There will no major changes in the industrialisation policy. However, there is a fear that if land acquisition continues they will be defeated in the 2011 assembly elections. (A project to build a City Centre in Kharagpur was stalled by the CM himself) I am sure the CPI(M) will not come back to power if we continue the same policies.

What is the new ‘land bank’ policy?
The government is mapping land to identify fertile areas — multiple crop, single-crop, and arid land, so we know where to look for barren land. The idea was there before, but now it is a necessity.

Why has the CPI(M) moved away from its pro-poor ideology, from its mass base of farmers and labourers?
The party has no connection with the land because they are all upper middle class intellectuals. They don’t know anything about labour and agriculture.

How has this shift happened?
It’s because the majority of the leadership is from the middle class. They are not B-class, but A-class. They think industrialisation is essential, and that it will bring unemployed youth to our fold. This cannot work. We are also facing a problem of organization. Several party members — brokers, dalals, promoters; people whose interests don’t represent the interests of the farmers — are getting positions without being accomplished. The party should be free from nepotism. The new cadres we recruited are not politically educated and don’t understand the party programme.

The CPI(M) is seen as an arrogant party where dissent is not tolerated. People in Bengal associate it with ‘dadagiri’ (bullying). Does this concern you?
There is some corruption and high handedness within the party rank and file. The local leaders have begun to think of themselves as the lords of their areas. We have to take specific steps to address this, or we will not be voted back to power. I am saying it openly: if we want win 2011 state polls, we have to change our attitude within the party.