http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4761871.stm

The results of elections in four Indian states and the union territory of Pondicherry have come as a huge boost for the country's communist parties.

An alliance led by the country's main Communist party, the CPI(M) has returned to power for a record seventh straight term in the eastern state of West Bengal.

In the southern state of Kerala, the CPI(M) led-Left Democratic Front has wrested power from the governing Congress Party.

Once pushed to the margins of Indian politics the communists are now an influential player especially at the federal level where, with some 60 seats in parliament, they hold the key to the Congress-led ruling coalition.

Not surprisingly, Communist leaders are upbeat about their future.

"Overall these results have strengthened the role of the left in national politics," said Prakash Karat, the top leader of the CPI(M), at a news conference shortly after the election results came in.

Despite supporting Congress at the federal level, they oppose the party at the state level leading to an uneasy political equation.

With their triumph in West Bengal and Kerala, they can exert even greater influence on the federal government, especially on economic policy.

The communists have at times made life difficult for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, opposing him on a number of issues including increased foreign investment, privatisation and the country's growing ties with the United States.

There is little doubt that they will continue to do so.

"We will continue to follow our agenda," says Mr Karat.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4761871.stm

The results of elections in four Indian states and the union territory of Pondicherry have come as a huge boost for the country's communist parties.

An alliance led by the country's main Communist party, the CPI(M) has returned to power for a record seventh straight term in the eastern state of West Bengal.

In the southern state of Kerala, the CPI(M) led-Left Democratic Front has wrested power from the governing Congress Party.

Once pushed to the margins of Indian politics the communists are now an influential player especially at the federal level where, with some 60 seats in parliament, they hold the key to the Congress-led ruling coalition.

Not surprisingly, Communist leaders are upbeat about their future.

"Overall these results have strengthened the role of the left in national politics," said Prakash Karat, the top leader of the CPI(M), at a news conference shortly after the election results came in.

Despite supporting Congress at the federal level, they oppose the party at the state level leading to an uneasy political equation.

With their triumph in West Bengal and Kerala, they can exert even greater influence on the federal government, especially on economic policy.

The communists have at times made life difficult for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, opposing him on a number of issues including increased foreign investment, privatisation and the country's growing ties with the United States.

There is little doubt that they will continue to do so.

"We will continue to follow our agenda," says Mr Karat.
I think a little experience with Democratic leftism may suit India well. I don't really like the Communist party but I think a swift kick in the ass by the commies might be just what India needs. This is a country, after all, which has been led by Brahman elitists for too long. You actually have cases where Brahmans will throw acid in the faces of untouchables and where women are burned alive by the families of men they marry because they fail to provide an adequet dowry. If India is to be part of the 21st century they really need to put an end to that kind of bullshit.

I agree, and looking at the maoists in nepal, it might allso stop worse communist extremism.
india is really booming, economy wise. but the poor havent profitted one bit. the country is a huge mess. its about time people started to demand some of the new wealth.