It looks like the change West Bengal is craving for is only a few hours away. But how fundamental will it be? Just a change of personalities and banners with more of the same political culture or a fundamental shift in governance for the better? Here, Didi can certainly look at neighbouring Bihar and Nitish Kumar?s first term for a few clues.
For sure, Bengal 2011 is not Bihar 2005. Then, Nitish Kumar ended Lalu-Rabri?s 15 years of rule that had descended into ?jungle raj?. Mamata will be heaving a boulder that has been there for more than twice as long. Lalu?s governance was execrable but Bihar was a basket-case even before him. In the case of Bengal, the Left has gradually taken a leading state downhill. But there are undeniable similarities. Even Lalu?s misrule had empowered the lower castes, given a voice to the Musahars and Harijans, not to speak of the Yadavs. In Bengal, the Left has undoubtedly empowered the poorer segments. In both places, the police systems have been heavily politicised. While caste ruled supreme in Bihar, and still does, the ?party? is no less a divider in neighbouring Bengal.
The question is, what next? In the five years of Nitish rule, two major developments stand out?law and order, and roads. Education and healthcare come next, while hardly much has happened to industry. On closer scrutiny, even in law and order, it is really one particular crime?kidnapping for ransom?that has shown a dramatic decline. And yet, this singular achievement has revolutionised people?s perception of law and order in Bihar, and has created new optimism and goodwill. As for roads, no qualifications are necessary. One can reach virtually any part of the state from Patna today in less than eight hours?undreamable in 2005. In healthcare, just resuming free medicine supplies in village health centres has brought both villagers as well as the missing doctors back. In education, the much heralded ?bicycle for girls? and such initiatives have paid off significantly, though the benefits are likely to be visible in the longer-run.
What are the lessons for Mamata? Many, really. Create a development environment that does not discriminate. Asphalt does not choose between CPM and Trinamool or prefer Bhumihars over Yadavs. Law and order should not be about vengeance. The speedy trial experiment in Bihar that just hastened conviction, particularly in cases of illegal firearms possession, had a startling effect on crimes of all kinds. And that within the same police and judicial apparatus as before. Nitish Kumar brought an end to Lalu?s ?Yadavisation?, but without replacing it with his own ?Kurmis?. Political interference in police work has ceased. Period.
Create improvements in delivery mechanisms. Much of Bihar?s progress under the NDA regime has been funded by the UPA government at the Centre. Schemes like the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, National Rural Health Mission, Indira Awaas Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, have benefited Bihar massively. But Nitish?s credit lies in being able to actually spend a large part of the funds that came to the state in a manner, which?while far from free of charges of leakage and corruption?made a visible difference to the state.
The problem with any ?parivartan? government is that it can wilt under its own pressure. The voters who want change expect the world from their new leaders. To survive and thrive, Mamata should understand the basics of the Nitish principle?that ?quick wins? do not come from industry. Capitalists are too circumspect and will not embrace a new order before a lot of dilly-dallying. Regardless of the entire hullabaloo about economic development, people still view governance as the delivery of things under government control rather than the creation of jobs through private investment. Less than a tenth of the workforce works in the formal sector anyway. That?s why the Nano exit had a nanometric electoral effect. Deliver on visibles?roads, electricity and a functioning police system. Bust local mafiadoms?regardless of party leanings ?to bring real law and order. And Bengal will be Mamata?s for keeps.
Mamata comes to power with the same advantage of a spotless image that Nitish has. Like Nitish, she also has a single person brand. Given her aversion to seeing any other power-centre in the TMC, one would hardly be surprised if her governance style would be similar to Nitish?s?working directly with the secretaries, paying little heed to the ministers. The thing to watch is if she will graduate from headline-grabbing symbolism to actual execution-oriented governance. For, if it has worked for polls in Bihar, there is little doubt it will be the key differentiator in Bengal.
The author teaches finance at the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad