Unrest in Bengal

The independence of Bangladesh in 1971, brought about an influx of refugees from Bangladesh to West Bengal, specially Calcutta. The victory of the Indian troops over the Pakistani army during the Bangladesh war (from 3rd December 1971 to 17th December 1971), paved the way for a Congress government led by Indira Gandhi at Delhi.

In West Bengal too, the effect was evident. Congress, returned to power in 1972, under the leadership of Sidhartha Shankar Ray. Leftist ideals received great support amongst the youth of Bengal and a mass movement called the Naxalite movement (named after Naxalbari, West Bengal) began to rock West Bengal. The uprising, which was was put down, caused widespread middle class resentment. This period of anarchy, uncertainty and instability led to major economic decline as a lot of companies and business houses shifted their bases from Calcutta to other states.

Following the defeat of Indira Gandhi in the 1977 national elections, the state elections of West Bengal were won by a coalition of ten parties called the Left Front. The CPI(M) led by Jyoti Basu, emerged as the dominant party which resulted in Jyoti Basu being elected as the Chief Minister of West Bengal.

The Left Front has won all the assembly elections conducted in West Bengal till date. From 2001, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee succeeded Jyoti Basu as the Chief Minister of West Bengal.