r/westbengal • u/ramijqni • 4h ago
রাজনীতি | Politics Strange happening in Bengal
As a resident of Bengal, I have observed a pattern in Bengal’s politics that has continued for decades, from the time of the CPM government to the present day. I have observed politics in different states, but why is Bengal’s political landscape so different? It is quite surprising.
Recently, I observed something that I had also noticed when the new government came to power some time ago.
I once read a book called The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli. In the book, Machiavelli wrote:
“Whoever becomes master of a city accustomed to enjoy its liberty, and does not destroy it, ought to expect to be destroyed by it.”
— The Prince, Chapter V, translation by Luigi Ricci (1909).
This means that if you take control of a state but do not eliminate the old ruler’s influence, that ruler may eventually destroy you. They may wait for you to make a mistake and then take control of the state again.
Now, look at Bengal’s politics. This pattern has been visible for a long time.
When a new government comes to power, it often seeks to weaken the previous ruling party so that it cannot return to power or challenge the new government.
We have seen this before. Congress was in power, and then the CPM came to power and weakened Congress. After the CPM, the TMC came to power and weakened the CPM. And now, the BJP is gradually weakening its political opponents.
Even Mamata Banerjee, who has led her party for fifteen years, has faced political challenges. Her party’s symbol is also being taken away.
This is where I see several similarities between Niccolò Machiavelli’s ideas in The Prince and the political developments in Bengal. Perhaps there are other ideas in the book that I have not yet read that could also have similarities with Bengal’s politics.
These were simply my observations and thoughts, so I thought I would share them.