Right to Smoke

structure, by acknowledging the existence of OBCs could go against the interest of CPI(M). Interestingly while the CPI(M) in other states, particularly the Hindi States has been forcefully demanding implementation of the Mandal Commission report and reservations, it is not ready to concede the same in West Bengal. While the demand in other States galvanises the Marxist image of the party, its denial is a strategy here to maintain the Marxist image and character. Former prime minister V P Singh replying to the debate on the Mandal Commission in parliament, said "We consciously want to give them a position in the decision-making process of the country, a share in the power structure. So mere arguments do not stand, if we understand basically what we are aiming at and what the malady is." But his new comrade-in-arms Jyoti Basu is not ready to subscribe to his political stand.