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
But from what I know West Bengal had better economic growth, and its overall HDI is close to Kerala, due to a higher per capita GDP?
Alexandre