Paper short abstract:

This paper explores the politics of ideological ambiguities and factional tension in the Left Front/CPIM's transition from a state-led to an industrialisation-led development approach in West Bengal.

Paper long abstract:

This paper examines a distinct chapter in the era of economic reforms in India: the case of West Bengal, and narrates the politics behind a much debated policy transition brought by the Left Front government (1977-2011). Historically, the Front gained high popularity as a pro-poor government owing to its land reforms, democratic decentralisation initiatives, and a strong opposition to economic reforms. The onset of liberalisation in India (in 1991) thus created serious political dilemma for the Front and its leader (the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPIM)), as despite an ideological opposition, it was now compelled to court private/foreign investment. However, embarking on such a transition created serious ambiguities both within the CPIM and the Front. The problems intensified during the 2000s as the CPIM strongly advocated for an industrialisation led development approach, prompting questions about its ideological orientation. Many held an erosion of the 'Left' class character as the primary reason behind the Front's eventual defeat in 2011.

This paper tries to trace the roots of some of these contradictions in the CPIM/Front's development narrative by examining (a) the transition in its industrial policy, (b) associated ideological ambiguities, (c) (limited) negotiation and factional tension both within the CPIM and the Front. It also contextualises West Bengal against wider political economic trends of the time, and tries to establish the broader point that transition in development narratives, particularly for Left/pro-labour parties, requires a more nuanced analysis than the oft repeated accusation of ideological aberration.