Democratically elected communism is tougher to uproot than when it operates by force for it provides succour, is a weapon for vengeance. Communism appears as a mirage to the thirsty. It is that sun that blinds you if you look at it directly, and so you don’t. You only see it during the eclipse, when it is too late. You wanted a free lunch and so you ran towards that mirage, and now all you see around you is sand. It can take generations for citizens to realise this, as was the case with Bengal. The body rots, it decomposes, foul gas escapes from its bloated morass, flies settle on it, they rub their forelimbs in glee, and when the time comes to identify it only the chipped tooth is of any help. Yes, this was my state once; I can confirm it from the gold filling.