The West Bengal Assembly polls are halfway through amid sequential violence, the Election Commission’s red-eye notwithstanding. With the final three (the state went for the fourth round today) of the six-phase polls left, hostilities are feared to escalate. That is how the political parties would assume power – browbeating an emasculated electorate.
The outcome of the polls is foregone. Either the outgoing Trinamool Congress (TMC) or the Left Front-Congress new-found combine would come to power. The BJP, at best, is also in the run. Then what? That could be the crucial question in the post-poll scenario.
If the TMC regains power, a part of the question is put to rest. But what if the Left-Congress amalgam wrests authority? Will the combine function smoothly? Will it continue for a reasonable period of time or would it fall apart prematurely? The pitfalls are many but the leadership of the combine is optimistic.