Nobel laureate Amartya Sen and the Left parties have always had an uneasy relationship. This is an irony because Sen subscribes to a fairly left political agenda of developmental goals. Yet, he is not a devoted disciple of everything Indian Marxists do and has on occasion gently chided them. The renowned economist speaks his mind and raps the Left for their partisan rancour much to the discomfort of the comrades.

That is what he did again in Kolkata on Monday. He criticised the Left for withdrawing support from the UPA government over the nuclear deal. "What was the big deal about the nuclear deal," is the sum of his question. He said that the Left parties should have focused on developmental issues which would help improve the lot of the people. Sensible words these but sure to raise the hackles of the Lefties more than ever because they feel that they were opposing the deal on the basis of high principles. Sen just pricked the balloon.

But Sen is not in the game of painting the Left in a poor light. He is worried about the development of his home state, and is anguished that political parties are not doing anything about it. That is why he criticised the 'bandh' culture flaunted by political parties and trade unions, and made it plain that it comes in the way of the democratic freedoms of the common people. Those are indeed harsh words coming from a left-leaning and highly respected liberal like Sen, and it is sure to hurt the politicians for whom these kinds of agitations are staple forms of protest.

Sen has emerged as an elder statesman in the state and in the country and it would be difficult to accuse him of partisanship. The Left and other parties must take his observations in the right spirit. Looking back, the Left's agitation on the nuclear deal was a bit over the top and took them away from their other agendas. Singur and Nandigram were other failures. The coming elections might reflect public disillusionment and vindicate Sen's perceptions.

It would be unfortunate if the politicians were to dismiss him as a mere intellectual. In the heat and dust and noise of everyday politics, there is a tendency to forget the public issues that underpin political activity. Sen's remarks are a gentle and timely reminder of the larger purpose of politics.

DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication