ABSTRACT
In the canvas of contemporary Indian democracy, West Bengal appears as a curious figure. Having had a communist government for thirty-three uninterrupted years, it has fallen behind many states (especially Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and the ones which have adopted strong policies favoring big industry) in the growth race, and yet features high literacy and mortality rates and other human development rates. The early years of Indian independence saw a continuing tussle between the communist factions over the question of accepting the roles accorded to political parties by parliamentary democracy. While the communist legitimacy, built by the Left Front coalition government around empowerment of the peasant, weakened gradually, the Left Front coalition government, headed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), was confronted with a more immediate crisis of identity on account of its responses to economic liberalization. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
