Incidentally, it came at a time when the peace train almost derailed and Jangalmahal began to bleed again and Mamata Banerjee was rapidly losing her patience.
The recent joint statement issued by the interlocutors, appointed by the West Bengal government, for creating a space for dialogue with the Maoists and the secretary, state unit of CPI (Maoist), 'Akash,' appears to have put back a derailed peace train back on rails.
While observers in Kolkata see the development as a shot in the arms of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the human right organisations hail this "as having drawn out a clear line of political difference between a Stalinist mindset of CPI(M) and more liberal mindset of Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee."
Incidentally, it came at a time when the peace train almost derailed and Jangalmahal began to bleed again and Banerjee was rapidly losing her patience.
“Who knows it will not open up new vistas for a democratic solution to Naxalite extremism,” said one of the interlocutors, led by Sujato Bhadra, former general secretary, Association of People for Democratic Rights (APDR).
Another important negotiator is Chhoton Das, convenor, Bandi Mukti Committee. According to sources in Writers’, what seems to have clicked was "unlike her predecessor Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, backed by the CPI(M) politbureau, Banerjee did not close the option for dialogue with the Maoists in Jangalmahal even after they killed six persons, including three TMC activists."
"Instead, she optimistically encouraged the effort of a small group of interlocutors to bring the Maoists before the negotiation table," added a negotiator.
The draft deal which awaits a nod from the CM is ceasefire on both the sides and disarming of private armies like CPI(M)-backed Armed Vahini and its AITC counterpart Bhairab Vahini for a month. But sources in Writers’ also believe that before she gives her nod Banerjee will also like to take, both PMO and Ministry of Home, in confidence.
If she backs out at the end, it will have unforeseen consequences, political observers say. But right now it seems a remote possibility, especially after she announced she would begin her district tours from next week and she is expected to carry a message for every troubled areas for both in North and South Bengal.
In all likelihood, Banerjee would endorse the effort and agree in essence with the statement "paving the way for frank exchange of views at a time when both the sides seem to have realised that the subalterns, languishing in chill penury, are receptive towards the promise of the new chief minister for introducing socio-economic developmental schemes that would directly benefit them," sources close to Banerjee said.
Das said, "We have done our job and now the CM will have to cross the bridge. But we are sure that she will..."
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