This document is a letter from Naresh Bhowmick to “Mr. Osmani Saheb,” dated March 5, 1965.
In this letter, Naresh Bhowmick provides a detailed analysis of the political landscape in India, with a particular focus on West Bengal. He critically examines the state of the Socialist movement, the influence of leaders like Dr. Lohia, and the shifting alliances among various political parties. He also shares his predictions for the outcomes of the recent Kerala election and the upcoming Calcutta Corporation election.
The correspondence highlights Naresh Bhowmick’s keen political insight and his active involvement in observing and commenting on the socio-political dynamics of his time. He also mentions his contributions to publications like ‘Basumati’ and ‘Darpan’.
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From: Naresh Bhowmick. 23/1, Kumartuly Street, Calcutta-5. Dear Mr. Osmani Saheb, March 5, 1965. Many thanks for your letter. I am glad to know that you had a talk with Mr. Pannalal Das Gupta at Silchar. Mr. Das Gupta after release from jail has aligned himself with Krishna Menon group. Compus is not the only paper he is now publishing, besides, he is connected with weekly english 'Mainstream' published from Delhi and financially backed by Krishna Menon group. As desired in your letter I think no purpose will be served in meeting Mr. Das Gupta. He is more or less has become a humanist like our veteran late M.N. Roy leaving the adjective radical. This is a case almost with all the revolutionaries of Bengal and Mr. Das Gupta is not an exception to that. PSP - So far Socialist movement is concerned, Baranasi tragedy has added nothing new in it. SSP - dictated by Dr. Lohia today stands for language and caste. indirectly dictated by Mr. Asoke Mehta through Prem Basin, Surendra Mohan, Brijmohan and others stands for defence of the country. Both these groups have nothing to do with Socialism. I know Dr. Lohia as well as Mr. Mehta. So long the socialist movement is allowed to guide by the leaders of Gandhian School of thoughts, one cannot expect better performance or any programme ever to be formulated based on socialist principles. Dr. Lohia today more interested to Jana Sangha. The reason is very clear. His parliamentary life after a long fight of a decade has been established by the backing of Jana Sangha. In Bengal Kashikanta and others have joined SSP leaving their long associates in PSP. The reason is also very clea DIDI group, spokesmen of which are Sunil Das, Samar Guha not ready to accept the leadership of Kashikanta who left politics in 1946 and re-entered in 1952. Kashi kanta elected from Krishnanagar not because of his poli- tical activities but because of his father late Pandit Lakhikanta Moitra. There is a proverb in Nadia that Pandit Lakhikanta Moitra saved Nadia from Pakistan. We have heard it during Parliamentary bye-election in 1954. Moreover, Kashi has become a patron of American enterprise. So, how long he will im accommodate his policy in a party of Dr. Lchia I don't know. Kerala election is just over and before reaching this letter to you the result will be out. Congress certainly would do better than others. Unwholly alliance among left parties had given this chance to Congress. In Calcutta Corporation election, the result will be in favour of Congress. The left-communist will come second and the fate of so-called social democrats guided by old bureacrats would face its natural consequences. I am not with the social democrats. I could contest corporation election but knowing the ultimate result I have rejected this proposal. I hope to come Silchar by the next Puja. I am writing on economic issues in daily Basumati and muktakax on political issues in weekly Darpan. Please convey my good wishes to Mr. Mazumdar, Mr. Akhtu and others. With best wishes, Yours,