Main content

Longest-serving democratically elected communist government

In 1977 what was to become the world’s longest-serving democratically elected communist government came to power in eastern India.

In 1977 what was to become the world’s longest-serving democratically elected communist government came to power in eastern India.

Poverty and absolute rule by the central government led to West Bengal embracing a different political ideology to the rest of the country. Their rule lasted until 2011 when they were voted out.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) official Mohammad Salim shares his memories of when his party came to power with Rumella Dasgupta.

(Photo: Mohammed Salim. Credit: Biswarup Ganguly/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Available now

9 minutes

Last on

Wed 5 Jul 202302:50GMT
BBC World Service

More episodes

Previous

The trial of John Demjanjuk

Next

The National Health Service begins

See all episodes from Witness History

Broadcasts

  • Tue 4 Jul 202307:50GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Tue 4 Jul 202311:50GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Tue 4 Jul 202317:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
  • Tue 4 Jul 202321:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
  • Wed 5 Jul 202302:50GMT
    BBC World Service

Featured in...

Podcast