Mamata –Naxal Nexus or Opportunity?

In my blog of April 6, 2009, “Maoist Butchers of Dantewada”, I had

suggested pre-emptive package from the government through policy
reforms and legislative support for development of Naxal hit areas in
medium term and strategic support of military to police force to stop
violence in short term to get the situation under control. Again on
October 30, 2009, I had highlighted the need to bring Maoists to the
negotiating table urgently. More than a year since the government
forces are being killed in the thick of Naxalite jungles, we seem still
far from any negotiations. The home minister has made offer of talks
to the Maoists but so far there has been no progress.

Today, Kishenji, the top Maoist leader has offered to accept Mamata
Banerjee, the Union Railway Minister, to be the mediator subject to
simultaneous ceasefire from both sides. As expected there has been a
hue & cry about the nexus of Mamata Banerjee with the Naxalites and
branding Mamata as anti-government if not anti-national. I am
neither a supporter of Mamata Banerjee nor of the Maoists. I am just
trying to see the whole development from another angle of
opportunity for breaking a deadlock.

Time Ripe for Negotiations

What if Mamata has had a nexus? Or, let us simplify by saying that
she has a communication channel open with Maoists. In the thick of
wars, the warring sides have to have a direct or indirect channels of
communication with each other. If UPA (minus Mamata) government
has no acceptance with the Naxalites and UPA(Mamata) has it, then
is it not an opportunity to be used to prepare for negotiating table?
Maoists are Indian citizens and not enemies. They need to be brought
into national mainstream by addressing their problems. Our
politicians are ready to address the issues of immigrants from
neighbouring countries and give them ration cards, housing for poor
and also citizenship for sake of votes. But we have no ear or stomach
for problems of naxalites for last 60 years.

The official Interlocutor ?

The Prime Minister & Home Minister should consider appointing
Mamata Banerjee as the official interlocutor & minister-in-charge of
Naxalite affairs ( with headquarters in Lalgarh?). Mamata Banerjee
would definitely accept such an offer as her clout in West Bengal
would shoot up. CPI(M) have not done anything to endear the
Maoists and therefore can hardy be useful in the negotiations. If P.
Chidambaram & Mamata Banerjee combine can bring together a
comprehensive settlement of this vexed issue, their importance &
stock would go up as successful leaders. We need path breaking
strategies and skilled negotiators. And needless to say that for success
of negotiations it is essential to have a Bengali leader in charge( even
if it is Pranab Mukherjee or Budhhadeo Bhattachajee)).

West Bengal Factor

Mamata has her priority clear to walk into the Writer’s Building in
next May. So the time frame of next few months is just right to strike
a deal with Maoist. Earlier the better for Mamata as her “visa” into
Writer’s Building will be secured before the polls. And Congress, with
little prospects of making into Writer’s Building on their own, can
afford to have a (though unpredictable) partner constituent of UPA
into the slot instead of incumbent CPI(M).

If UPA misses on this opportunity of a dialogue, it will be in for a long

haul with Mamata in the opposition as she can quit UPA at a time of
her choosing. If UPA uses it successfully, they would have pried
opened a new “vote bank” of the future in the Maoists! Would they
call it a nexus then?

In any case, with or without Mamata, it is time for P. Chidambaram to

keep the negotiating table ready or the powder dry. And the choice is
Hobson’s!

Vijay M. Deshpande

Corporate Advisor,

Strategic Management Initiative

Pune
August 18, 2010

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