InfoAnda - Indian communists face farmer backlash in election

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

SCENARIOS-What will Taiwan c.bank say on economy, policy? | 22 September 2009
Italian police arrest top mafia boss | | 24 October 2010
BP unveils 'giant' oil discovery in Gulf of Mexico | 3 September 2009

Saleh calls for early election as Yemenis protest | | 20 May 2011

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Indian communists face farmer backlash in election | International |

My Profile Top News Reuters top ten news stories delivered to your inbox each day. Subscribe You are here: Home > News > International > Article Home Business & Finance News U.S. Politics International Technology Entertainment Sports Lifestyle Oddly Enough Health Science Special Coverage Video Pictures Your View The Great Debate Blogs Weather Reader Feedback Do More With Reuters RSS Widgets Mobile Podcasts Newsletters Your View Make Reuters My Homepage Partner Services CareerBuilder Affiliate Network Professional Products Support (Customer Zone) Reuters Media Financial Products About Thomson Reuters Indian communists face farmer backlash in election Sun May 3, 2009 8:26pm EDT Email | Print | Share | Reprints | Single Page [-] Text [+] By Bappa Majumdar KOLKATA, India (Reuters) - For over three decades, India's West Bengal state has been run by the world's longest-serving democratically-elected communist government. Yet the communist's power base is slowly being eroded by farmers alienated by aggressive plans to attract foreign and local industry to regain the economic glory days when this region was one of the nerve centers of the British empire. Across Kolkata, a city of 12 million and for years a symbol of India's deep urban poverty, posters and banners bearing the traditional communist red hammer and sickle symbols promise new industries and jobs to the younger generation. These businesses have often taken shape on prime farmland, enraging farmers, the leftists traditional supporters, who have launched violent protests against factory projects, including a plant to produce the world's cheapest car, the Nano. "The left has a compulsion to go ahead with industry, and knows very well they might have to pay a price for it in this election," said Ashis Chakrabarti, senior editor of The Telegraph newspaper, referring to a national election to be finalized this month. Meanwhile, West Bengal's communist government may face trouble in a 2011 state poll. The conflict between industrialization and agriculture in West Bengal reflects a wider battle in India, where efforts to modernize in this densely populated country have often met with violent backlashes from villagers who make up more than half of India's 1.1 billion plus population. Much of West Bengal's industries, mainly jute, textile and heavy engineering, started during the pre-independence period when Kolkata was the capital of British India. Industrialization continued till the mid-1970s, but when the left took over the state in 1977 with promises of empowering farmers, they gave away land to more than 2.5 million peasants in the country's most sweeping distribution program. Industrialization came to a halt, while factories started to get heavily unionized, and by the mid 1980s, labor unrest and strikes shut down 35,000 factories and workshops. Other Indian states such as Orissa and Bangalore were successfully wooing investors by then, while big corporations fled West Bengal. With agriculture stagnating, land short and unemployment growing, the communists started to change tack five years ago to woo investors as part of India's new "Look East Policy" and forge closer trade with the rest of Asia. Yet these efforts infuriated farmers who have violently protested against factories such as a $3 billion chemicals hub complex in Nandigram which was eventually abandoned. Tata Motors last year shifted their plans to build the Nano following protests by farmers. "Governments have done a mess of their industrialization drive in India, and the West Bengal state in particular, who have used strong arm-tactics to acquire land for industry," said Amulya Ganguli, a political analyst. STEEL AND CHEMICALS HUB Continued... View article on single page Share: Del.icio.us Digg Mixx Yahoo! Facebook LinkedIn Next Article: Venezuela military helicopter crash kills 17 Green Business Reuters Green Business Reuters introduces a new section dedicated to the emerging green technology sector, featuring five people to watch in the business of green and our global green portfolio. Full Coverage More International News Mexico breathes easier in flu epidemic | Video Australia delays carbon trade, may toughen target Karzai signs up for Afghan poll, names running mates Iraq rules out extension of U.S. withdrawal dates Nepal president defies Maoists over sacked army head More International News... Editor's Choice Slideshow A selection of our best photos from the past 24 hours. Slideshow Most Popular on Reuters Articles Video Mexico breathes easier in flu epidemic Buffett attacks bank tests, eyes flu pandemic Buffett attacks bank tests, eyes flu pandemic WRAPUP 2-Buffett attacks bank tests, eyes flu pandemic Bank of America plans to raise $10 billion in capital: report Saudi Arabia clamps down on unlicensed female gyms Obama to roll out international tax proposals Buffett dispenses gloom at Berkshire fest Boston Globe could file shutdown notice Monday Clock ticking on U.S. transportation bill Most Popular Articles RSS Feed Video Philippines floods kill ten Italian PM to divorce - reports India's Padampur hit by drought Hospital "hit by Sri Lankan army" Chancellor Merkel underwear Mexico hits out at neighbours Hong Kong hotel guests quarantined Madagascar drought crisis Asia on H1N1 alert Israeli air strike hits Gaza Most Popular Videos RSS Feed Reuters Deals The global destination for corporate leaders, deal-makers and innovators Knowledge to Act Reuters.com: Help and Contact Us | Advertise With Us | Mobile | Newsletters | RSS | Interactive TV | Labs | Archive | Site Index | Video Index Thomson Reuters Corporate: Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy | Professional Products | Professional Products Support | About Thomson Reuters | Careers International Editions: Africa | Arabic | Argentina | Brazil | Canada | China | France | Germany | India | Italy | Japan | Latin America | Mexico | Russia | Spain | United Kingdom | United States Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests. NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.

Other News on Monday, 4 May 2009
Nepal government wobbles over army chief's sacking | International |
Iraq rules out extension of U.S. withdrawal dates | International |
France captures 11 suspected Somali pirates | International |
Wolverine slashes rivals in $160 million global bow | Entertainment |
Angels & Demons director sees Vatican meddling | Entertainment |
Mexico breathes easier in flu epidemic | International |
Pentagon chief to reassure Saudis on Iran outreach
Australia delays carbon trade, may toughen target | International |
Iraq rules out extension of U.S. withdrawal dates
Karzai signs up for Afghan poll, names running mates | International |
Former Israeli premier faces prostate cancer
Nepal president defies Maoists over sacked army head | International |
Fiat boss unveils plans for European car giant: FT
Supermarket tycoon wins Panama election | International |
Swine flu in decline: Mexico
Indian communists face farmer backlash in election | International |
Venezuela military helicopter crash kills 17 | International |
In crisis more Russian men want talk, not sex | International |
China quake survivors face intimidation, detention: Amnesty | International |
NY Times Co. threatens Boston Globe shutdown
Report: Senators seek answers on KBR overcharges
Syria's Assad urges US to talk to Hamas, Hezbollah
US flu tally jumps to 245 as labs catch up
Berlusconi's wife wants divorce: reports
John Edwards faces federal investigation
Czechs, Slovak killed in Austrian Alps avalanche
Alaska volcano shows increased unrest
Jackson says NAACP must help save auto industry
Craigslist founder helps memorialize murder victim
Season of tragedy ending at Sierra ski community
21 dead in India as bus falls into river
21 dead as bus falls into river in India
Obama to meet Afghan and Pakistan leaders
Jenny McCarthy inks deal with Winfrey's Harpo | Entertainment |
Nepal in crisis over attempts to fire army chief
NBC renews Medium | Entertainment |
At least 20 dead as storm batters Philippines
IFC Films hearts Valentine's Day | Entertainment |
Amnesty says China quake survivors face intimidation, detention
Green Day tests new ground on way to Breakdown | Entertainment |
Storms leave 20 dead in Philippines
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
ADB head: Asia must tackle poverty, climate change
China denies targeting Mexicans
New Zealand slump may have deepened, job market weakens
Nepal row flares after army chief sacked
ADB sees 'mild recovery' next year
Hollywood Wax Museum auctions wax celebs
Firmer won, earnings draw funds back to S.Korea
Korea Hot Stocks-Retailers, shipbuilders, Hyundai Steel up
KKR in talks on buying AB InBev unit in SKorea
China bans pork imports from Alberta: govt
Taiwan dollar surges on China ties, global outlook
Hollywood Wax Museum auctions wax celebs
S.Korea govt bonds slide after export, CPI data
No butts: China orders officials to smoke
Seoul shares open higher, financials lead gains
Saddam gets stamp of disapproval from Iraqi show
Jenny McCarthy inks deal with Winfrey's Harpo
Pete Seeger turns 90 with birthday concert in NYC
China's Mongols see bleak future for their culture
Ron Howard movie `Parenthood' reborn as NBC series
CBS launches unprecedented ad campaign
Ron Howard: Vatican obstructed 'Angels & Demons'
The films that highlighted this year's Tribeca
Vatican plays down differences before Israel trip
Pakistan battles Taliban | International |
Wave of attacks in south Afghanistan kill 29
Berlin studies request to take Guantanamo prisoners | International |
Attacks kill 20 in southern Afghanistan
Israel's Peres omits mention of Palestinian state | International |
European economy to shrink four percent
Iran says U.S. sanctions will not halt nuclear work
Berlusconi rejects patch-up with wife, seeks apology | International |
Spanish judge to probe deadly Israeli raid on Gaza
Fiat plans new global car giant
Eritrea sick of Somalia arms accusations | International |
Madonna launches appeal against adoption rejection
Taylor's request for war crimes acquittal rejected | International |
Obama outreach to Muslims worries Israelis
Greek scandal vote may force snap election | International |
Court okays breast removal for transsexual teen: report
Afghan suicide attack kills seven, including mayor
Venezuelan capital jolted by 5.3 earthquake | International |
Afghan leader heads to US for anti-terror summit
Australia delays emissions trading
New York Times Co wields axe over Boston Globe
Chad and Sudan agree to halt attacks
Climate change 'cultural genocide' for Aborigines
HP and RIM form alliance on BlackBerry | Technology |
EU urges Internet governance revamp | Technology |
Journalist group: US reporter hospitalized in Iran
EU urges Internet governance revamp
Obama to crack down on business taxes
4 dead in Fla. family slaying; teen son escapes
Buffett sees end to recession, uncertain on timing
Inmates vying for coal mining jobs in Appalachia
The Nation's Weather
French forces 'killed pirate hostage' off Somalia
Storms, possible tornadoes hit South; 1 killed
Obama to attend Cinco de Mayo event on May 4
Colorado lawmakers mount up to see effects of laws
Swine flu may return 'with 'a vengeance': WHO
More court review set for '04 Janet Jackson flash | Entertainment |
Deadly clashes in NW Pakistan as peace deal unravels
Madonna's adoption case in Malawi adjourned | Entertainment |
China denies discriminating against Mexicans
Wolverine slashes rivals in debut | Entertainment |
Indonesia's anti-corruption chief arrested
Pakistan battles Taliban as pact hangs in balance
Asia Pacific countries start disaster drills
Indonesia police detain anti-graft boss over murder
NKorea says Obama administration same as Bush's
Pakistan peace deal under fire amid attacks
Nepal's prime minister resigns
Pakistan targets 80 bln rupees in T-bill auction
Taiwanese tycoon challenges Buffett's investment
AIG close to selling building to Japanese company
Taiwanese tycoon challenges Buffet's investment
Tech-savvy Japanese on holiday tinker with robots
Taiwan inflows surge on warming China ties
Nintendo on roll on Wii, but cautious on high yen
China triples wind power capacity goal: report
`Twilight,' `Slumdog' lead MTV award nominees
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Author sees A-Rod as insecure, needing to please
B'way ticket availability through Sunday, May 10
Paternity dispute erupts in Madonna adoption case
New Orleans Jazz Fest 40th year riffs on old, new
US-TECH Summary
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01