NORTH-Supplies without Supply Line

CPl(M)-led 'nine-party front has chalked out a programme of state-wide mass agitation from October 1 demanding adequate relief operations. None of the political parties has, however, coma forward with a substantive and sharp criticism of the policies that have brought this suffering to the people, nor do they seem capable of suggesting alternative programmes for mobilising the state's material and human resources. The organisational wing and the MLAs at the ruling party, the Left parties and the rest of the opposition make demands on the state government; the state government makes demands on the Union government; and the (acting) Governor has appealed for international charity I In West Bengal the CPI(M) and the other Lett parties are by now fully aware of the political and physical hazards of moving against the highly consolidated rural rich, who are well protected by the minions of law and order and the enlisted thugs and smugglers. They, therefore, have opted for the line of least resistance. The CPI made much noise about its dehoarding campaign, but having little base in the countryside, drew a blank. Even the CPI(M) has opted simply for agitation against the only too obvious sins of the government In the meantime, people are begging, deserting their dear and near ones, selling the honour of their womenfolk, and finally dying from starvation. In these details, 1943 is being re-enacted in 1974