Indian Communists Face Kolkata Rout in Revolt Over Jobs

For the first time, Rajesh Babani won’t vote for West Bengal’s communists, joining a revolt that may end the 34-year rule of the world’s longest-serving elected Marxist government. The reason: his two sons can’t find jobs.

“Almost everyone around here is searching for work,” said Babani, 43, as he leaned against the wall of a teashop painted with the Left Front’s red hammer-and-sickle motifs in a slum in Kolkata, the state capital. Babani, who can earn 100 rupees ($2) a day sweeping streets, will vote in elections that started today and that polls say will be won by the All India Trinamool Congress party.