Hare & Rabbit Fight A Fox

It’s a match made in miasma. Political expediency and survival needs draw BJP and CPI(M) together in Nadia.

- Dola Mitra

DESPERATE times breed desperate measures. In the remote villages on the banks of the Meghna, which flows through West Bengal’s Nadia district, a political tie­up of immense significance has taken place. To outsiders, it almost defies logic, and is certainly more incredible than the unlikeliest of unions between traditional foes—like, say, the one between Bihar’s Laloo Prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumar. The region’s local leaders from the CPI(M) and the BJP have joined hands to fight the upcoming panchayat elections against the ruling Trinamool Congress.

“Yes, BJP and CPI(M) have come together here to fight the Trinamool,” confirms a BJP candidate from nearby Karimpur, who is contesting the rural polls for a panchayat committee seat. “The CPI(M) has not fielded its candidate from this seat, just as we will not put up contestants where it has.”

He informs Outlook that the decision was taken at the local level, without consultations with party high commands in New Delhi or Calcutta. “We felt there was no need to complicate matters by informing party leaders who would possibly drag their feet on it. We understand the ground situation much better. This had to be done.”