That is why, to fight this danger, there is an imperative need for unity of left, democratic and secular forces. For this purpose movements have to be launched throughout country both inside and outside legislatures.

We should keep in mind that the responsibility of ensuring such a unity lay primarily with the left forces and CPI(M) in particular. Analyses of the political developments of recent years indicate that only the leftists have been consistent with a policy. If we want to achieve our goal, we should always try our utmost to strengthen the left unity. There is no room for slackness in this regard.

The people of West Bengal have witnessed a long tradition of consolidating left forces and giving them proper independence leftists had a significant role in the political life of undivided Bengal. I offer a brief recall of some broad facts relating to these developments. Towards the end of 20s there developed a conflict of ideas of rightists and leftists in the national movement itself. There was a tendency among an influential section of rightist forces within the Indian national Congress under the leadership of Gandhiji to give occassional calls for some movements but later on to withdraw them suddenly. They were consistent in their stand to hold back any militant mass struggle. Apart from this, there was intensive debate on the question of "Purna Swaraj".

On the Congress platform itself some leftist leaders always pleaded for intensifying anti-imperialist struggle and to unite and consolidate the workers and peasants of our country. They moved the resolution of "Purna Swaraj", but could not get it passed. Later on within the Indian national Congress a section led by Subhas Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru again raised the issue of Purna Swaraj and of uncompromising struggle. In Bengal this section of Congress had good following. Side by side another section of youth (under several revolutionary groups) were getting redy for armed struggle. All these forces, more or less, represented leftist ideas. They were all for Purna Swaraj, pro-working class and peasantry. A large section of them were for socialism.

These conflicts continued even in the 30s. It became sharp during civil disobedience movement. In 1938, there was an attempt to bring all shades of left parties and groups on a common platform with the name of "Left Co-ordination Committee". Main purpose of this move was to keep the Congress on the path of struggle. With the initiative of the left Forces, Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose alternatively were made Presidents of the Congress. But Subhas Chandra Bose was forced to resign on a second term because of the pressure of the rightists. After Subhas Chandra Bose formed his Forward Block, he was expelled by the Congress. Even then the Left Forces made a co-ordinated effort to fight the rightist trend.

During the later phase of the second World War, the entire character of the war changed. On 22^nd June 1942, the Nazis attacked the Soviet Union. At that stage Communist Party of India took a stand that the war was no longer an imperialist war and had turned into "Peoples War". It was made clear that the entire human civilisation would be at peril if Soviet system was not properly defended against the onslaught of fascist forces. That is why the main task would be to side with the Allied powers. When the communists raised this slogan, the country was involved in the Quit India Movement. It can be said now that as far as the theoretical position taken by the Communists was concerned, it was correct although objective situation was not so suitable. As a result, communist became isolated from the mainstream of national politics.

But it is also a fact that despite the bourgeoisie party’s continuous slander mongering, communists were not deserted by the people. On the contrary the communists remained with the workers, peasants and other toiling people to fight relentlessly for their cause. In the turbulent days of 40s, the communists played a vital role during naval revolt, movements in Princely states. It is well known that in the Tebhaga movement of share croppers in undivided Bengal, communists took a leading part. During the late 30s study of Marxism became the order of the day among revolutionaries of different groups of Bengal. They are imprisoned in Andaman cellular jail and detained in different camps in several provinces in India. Most of them gradually accepted Marxism as their creed, giving up their old methods of isolated armed action. Many of them joined the CPI and became wholetime workers in mass fronts. It gave a new dimension to the left movement in Bengal. The Communists built up good image by their sacrifice during the days of Bengal famine and their fight for communal harmony. In 1952 general elections, it became obvious that communists could not be cowed down despite the banning of the Party from 1948 to 1951.

In 1951 a fresh attempt was made to consolidate left forces during the civic poll in Howrah under the Progressive Citizen’s Block. It is also a fact that even during British regime, citizen’s committees were formed – as joint fronts of different groups and individuals to contest district boards, municipal bodies in Burdwan, Hooghly and Calcutta. In 1952 general elections, though not a full-fledged front some left froces including SRP (founded by Saratchandra Bose), CPI, RSP, Forward Block, SUCI, Workers Party, Krishak Majdoor Party came to an understanding on seat adjustment to fight the Congress

During 50s and later on, food movement became almost an annual feature because of persistent food shortage. Left leaders and common people used to court arrest and go to jail during the movement. In 1953, the United Front of Left parties came into support of historic strike of teachers. Similarly there were a united fight against the rise of tram fare and for nationalisation of Calcutta Tram Company. Later on a massive movement was launched against the Bengal-Bihar merger issue. In 1957 and 1962 the United Front fought election unitedly. On both the occasions slogans were raised for an alternative government. A common minimum programme was drawn up.

In 1962 differences arose among leftists on the issue of Indo-Chinese border conflict. At that time along with CPI, SUC, Workers Party leaders were arrested. During this time split took place in CPI. From 1962 to 1967, food situation in West Bengal became very acute and that forced the eight parties to come together and carry on intensive struggle under the banner of United Left Front

Again in 1967 just before the assembly elections, leftists were divided. They formed two separate fronts. On the one side eight left parties were combined in the name of United Left Front. Other one, the People’s United Left Front had six parties. But non Left parties like Bangla Congress, Lokesevak Shangha were in PULF. After results of elections were out, ULF and PULF came together and formed the first United Front Government. Because of the differences within the Front, and conspiracy with Congress, Dr. Prafulla Ghosh betrayed the Front and formed a new government to become the Chief Minister. This government lasted only two months and during its term carried on intensive anti-left baiting

Twelve parties combined together under United Front, fought the misrule of the Government. In the next assembly elections in 1969, United Front came back to power. But differences cropped up again and Congress made use of them and the government fell in 1970. At the time CPI, Bangla Congress and Congress formed PDF Government but lasted only for two months. During semi-facist terror, backed by united. Five parties, however, somehow moved together. Things changed in 1976, during the Emergency. Left parties formed Left Front in 1977, just before the general election. In 1977, the Left Front came to power in the State. Later on, more left parties such as CPI, SP, DSP, CRLI came within the fold of Left Front. Since then Left Front is running the State Government smoothly.

These ups and downs of the left movement in Bengal were a part of a process of consolidation of Left forces, which was not an easy task. Each party small or big has its own viewpoints and programmes. To keep them together was an onerous task. This was possible because of peoples’ movements on different occasions both outside and inside the house. In fact peoples’ movement on vital issues forces these parties to give up their sectarian stand and think of broad united family. It is very significant that Left movement in West Bengal has in certain respect its own characteristics’, unlike elsewhere, a large section of middle class have joined the struggle. This enabled the middle class to approach the workers, peasants and other toiling people with the message of struggle and gradually helped them to become politically conscious. Bengal has a rich background of mass movements of workers, peasants, women, youths, students etc. and they could bring into their fold millions on different occasions

That the Left Front is in power for more than two decades is not a mean achievement. On the one hand Left front Government had to fight the non-cooperative Central Governments and maintain their own unity. It had to fight every inch to maintain its position. The government’s stability is ensured. But relentless struggle has to be carried on against extraneous forces outside the Front, who are out to discredit the Government.