Kolkata, West Bengal
West Bengal is witnessing a dramatic political transformation following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s historic rise to power under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. In the days after the BJP formed its first-ever government in the state, two developments have triggered intense political debate — the reopening of local CPI(M) offices across Bengal and the appearance of a BJP government advertisement in the communist party’s official newspaper Ganashakti.
Political observers describe the developments as symbolic of a rapidly changing political order in a state long dominated first by the Left Front and later by the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
CPM Offices Become Active Again
Several local CPI(M) offices in districts across Bengal have reportedly reopened and resumed political activities after remaining inactive or operating under limited conditions during the TMC era.
Left workers and local party leaders claimed that many grassroots offices had struggled to function freely during the years of Mamata Banerjee’s rule.
A CPI(M) worker from North 24 Parganas said:
“For years many of our local offices remained closed because workers feared violence and political retaliation. Now people are slowly returning.”
Another Left activist alleged:
“Under the previous government, grassroots political functioning became extremely difficult in several districts. Workers are now trying to reorganise openly.”
The CPI(M) has repeatedly accused the TMC government of suppressing opposition politics through intimidation and cadre violence — allegations consistently denied by the Trinamool Congress.
According to local reports, Left organisations are now planning membership drives, district meetings, and public outreach programmes in areas where activities had slowed significantly in recent years.
BJP Advertisement in CPM Mouthpiece Sparks Controversy
At the same time, another politically symbolic development grabbed public attention when Ganashakti, the Bengali-language newspaper and official mouthpiece of the CPI(M), published a full-page advertisement linked to the new BJP-led state government.
The advertisement invited people to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and prominently featured Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside the new BJP leadership in Bengal. References to Rabindranath Tagore’s birth anniversary celebrations were also included in the poster.
The publication of the advertisement triggered widespread reactions because Ganashakti has historically served as one of the strongest ideological platforms of the communist movement in Bengal.
Political commentators described the moment as:
“One of the biggest political ironies in Bengal’s recent history.”
For decades, CPI(M) and BJP have remained ideological rivals. The appearance of a BJP government advertisement inside the communist party’s own publication therefore sparked heated discussions across social media and political circles.
TMC Questions CPM
Leaders from the Trinamool Congress criticised the CPI(M) over the issue and accused the Left party of double standards.
A section of TMC leaders questioned how the communist party permitted a BJP-linked government advertisement in its newspaper while simultaneously criticising BJP politics publicly.
However, some political observers pointed out that newspapers often publish official government advertisements regardless of ideological affiliation.
One social media user wrote:
“This looks really bad already though.”
Another user defended the move, stating:
“It is a government advert though that newspapers have to publish.”
Images of the Ganashakti front page quickly went viral online, with many users describing it as a visual representation of Bengal’s changing political reality.
BJP’s Rise Reshapes Bengal Politics
The BJP’s victory in the 2026 Assembly elections ended the Trinamool Congress’s 15-year rule in West Bengal and marked the party’s first government in the state.
Since assuming power, the BJP government’s arrival has already led to several symbolic and administrative changes, including:
- Reopening and revival of local CPI(M) offices
- Increased political mobilisation by Left organisations
- BJP advertisements appearing in communist publications
- Administrative reshuffling in state institutions
- Growing debate over the future political alignment of opposition parties
Political analysts believe Bengal’s traditional TMC-versus-Left political structure is now entering an entirely new phase under BJP rule.
CPM Eyes Grassroots Revival
Sources within CPI(M) indicate that the party now sees an opportunity to rebuild its grassroots network after years of electoral decline.
Analysts say the Left may attempt to reposition itself as an ideological alternative to both BJP and TMC while rebuilding organisational strength in rural districts.
Whether the reopening of party offices signals a genuine political revival for the Left or merely reflects temporary political realignment remains uncertain. However, observers agree that Bengal’s political atmosphere has changed significantly following the BJP’s emergence as the state’s ruling force.
About Ganashakti
Founded in 1967, Ganashakti remains the official Bengali-language newspaper of the CPI(M) West Bengal State Committee and was once among the most influential political newspapers during Left Front rule in the state.
