2 - Agrarian reform

Summary

Land distribution

Despite periodic electoral setbacks in the urban areas, the rural vote has re-elected the Communists for subsequent terms. This has led to considerable debate as to the reasons for this electoral success. While the existence of rural support is evident, the causes for it are controversial. It will be argued that, while agrarian reforms have not been outstanding compared to the rest of India or even past state achievements, in the political sphere power has shifted from the traditional pro-Congress elite to a new middle landed class. This class, while lacking the wealth of the traditional elite, is more numerous, and now with state patronage more powerful, than the rural Congress Party supporters. Though the socio-economic condition of the lower classes and their influence on policy have seen little or no improvement, the Left Front programs with partial funding from the central government, have provided more aid than under previous regimes. This has helped maintain a Left Front lower- and middle-class voting bloc in which the lower-class influence has remained decidedly subordinate. The structural reforms that might have altered this situation were not undertaken, partly for fear of central government intervention, but mainly due to the influence of this new middle-class landed elite on the Communists who feared loss of their electoral support.

Land reform is potentially the most significant program the Communist government might be expected to undertake. As it is a state subject under the Indian constitution it is within the jurisdiction of the Communist government. Though court challenges are open to plaintiffs and new legislation is subject to Presidential approval, the legal and extra-legal powers open to a state government are considerable.