> There's some debate about why Kerala has such better HDI indicators than
> the rest of India, but a review of the historical trends makes it clear
> that the divergence didn't begin until the early 1970s, the same time
> that Communist (or, more precisely, "Left Front") governments began to
> win roughly every other state election. So, periodic rule by the Left
> in Kerala seems to be, if not a sufficient condition, at least a
> necessary condition of the progress that has been made.
The CPs have ruled Kerala (pop.40 mn.) intermittently. (The elections in Kerala are closely fought affairs between CPs and the Congress party. 2% swing in votes is enough to decide the results.) But CPs have ruled West Bengal (pop. 80 mn.) continuosly for 25 years (1977-2002).West Bengal does not have the same HDI indicators. e.g. Literacy in West bengal is 65-70%.
Ulhas