Gangster State: The Rise and Fall of the CPI(M) in West Bengal

by Sourjya Bhowmick

After reigning supreme in West Bengal for thirty-four years, how did the Communist Party of India (Marxist) end up on the fringes of the political arena? In Gangster State, political journalist Sourjya Bhowmick chronicles the decline of the CPI(M) in Bengal through a compulsive work of creative non-fiction. Allured by the unrestricted power of the party, Presidency College student Rajat Lahiri joins its student wing, the Students Federation of India, and trains to become one of its foot soldiers. Soon achieving full-fledged membership, he does not hesitate in getting his hands dirty for a regime inherited by Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya from an ailing Jyoti Basu, and marred by corruption and violence. This change in leadership, prompted by the arrival of a strong contender in Mamata Banerjee, sustains the existing nexus of crime and politics and paves the way for fervid protests and brutal suppression by the state. With the situation spiralling out of control and public support fading, the stage is set for the Singur Movement and violence in Nandigram. After witnessing the partys historic defeat in the 2011 Legislative Assembly elections, a disillusioned Rajat leaves Kolkata, only to return as a journalist covering the 2016 elections that would eventually decimate its stronghold in the state. With the partys influence on the wane ever since, the book ultimately explores the burning Will the CPI(M) survive the 2021 Legislative Assembly elections, or will it be pushed into permanent oblivion by the formidable Trinamool Congress and the rising BJP?

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics

360 pages, Hardcover

First published July 23, 2021

Reviews

[Anoop Nair · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took some time to finish, but this book is an awesome read for political students.

You see in the elections, once a mighty communist party in Bengal crumbled down to even 0 seats, and TMC and BJP soaring up. Ever thought of what had happened? We all know of Nandigram and Singur, but are they the only reason? Why are the once highly intelligent marked society, got split up so much communaly?

Read this and you get the idea of the rise of Marxist party to almost invincible status, how they got drunken with power and forgot the people, and history wipe down them to ashes. Its an excellent read, from the authors personal experience and his hope for the party.

Go for it!

[Athul C · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5
It provides a lot of insights regarding the communist rule in Bengal, but still feels incomplete. Many incidents I heard about after the fall of communist rule—instances that filled me with sheer terror back then—aren't even mentioned here. Although it is critical of the CPI(M), it doesn't deliver the severity it deserves. The content actually demanded better writing; despite its short length, it drags considerably.

[Sudipta Das · Rating 5 out of 5]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[Arjun Prasad · Rating 4 out of 5]

First person view of Fall of Communist regime in Bengal. Clearly shows what clout Islam holds in Indian politics to decide who wins and lose.