Massacre of farmers in the CPM stronghold of Nandigram - West Bengal, has become a major setback for the party. The brutal killings and alleged rape of opponents by party personnel have been alleged in this political hotspot of the CPM bastion, West Bengal.

Many of the social, political, and cultural organizations have come forward against the party policy. Even some party cadres do not agree with the way CPM works here. Noted activists and writers also opposed the party. Medha Patkar and Arundhathi Roy launched public agitation against acquiring farmers land to lend to multinational companies.

Events in Nandigram reflected in Kerala politics too. Congress and other political parties found a powerful weapon to attack CPMs attitude towards farmers agitation. Many political critiques question CPMs double stand on some issues. Party is following one policy in Kerala and another in West Bengal, according to Congress party.

Coming elections will be challenging for CPM because Congress and BJP will use this issue as a campaigning tool. Party can not expect socio-cultural activists support too. How to counter attack the issue is a big question for the CPM. All the major media covered the issue for many days. Still debates and discussions are going on with regards to this matter.

Party central leadership points out that the Maoists were behind the attack and violence. But this theory was not convincing to the public because it was crystal clear that no external forces could interfere in Nandigram, without the knowledge of local CPM leadership.

While speaking to journalists, central minister Shivaraj Patel stated that there was no Maoist attack in Nandigram, but he didn’t rule out the hand of external forces.

While campaigning in Nandigram, noted activist and environmentalist, Medha Patkar was attacked by CPM men. This incident also tarnished the image of the party. Many hardliners in the party have different opinion on Nandigram issue. Under the circumstances arising out of Nandigram turmoil, the coming elections will be a tough war for CPM.

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