CPM Gears Up for Solo Fight in Bengal as Congress Opts Out of Alliance
In a significant political development, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has declared its intention to contest all 294 seats in the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections as part of the Left Front. This announcement comes directly from party state secretary Md Salim, who revealed that the CPM had been anticipating the Congress party's independent stance for some time.
Congress's Independent Decision Triggers Left Front Response
The Congress high command in Delhi recently made the decisive move to contest the Bengal polls independently, breaking away from previous electoral partnerships. This decision prompted the CPM to accelerate its preparations for a comprehensive electoral battle across the entire state. Salim emphasized that while the Left Front had collaborated with Congress in the 2016 and 2021 assembly elections, as well as the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, there has been no joint movement between the two political forces over the past two years.
"We have been discussing among Left Front partners that we should prepare to fight 294 seats," Salim stated during a press conference on Friday. "Congress's approach was becoming evident to us."
Internal Criticisms and Political Jabs
Salim didn't hesitate to criticize state Congress chief Subhankar Sarkar, who assumed leadership in September 2024 following Adhir Chowdhury's departure after the Lok Sabha elections. The CPM leader accused Sarkar of maintaining a "soft approach to Trinamool" and suggested his apparent acceptance by the ruling TMC party.
"We could sense his acceptance by TMC," Salim remarked, highlighting the growing political distance between the traditional allies.
Left Front Unity Under Scrutiny
While the CPM has been exploring potential alliances with the Indian Secular Front (ISF) and Humayun Kabir's JUP, other Left Front partners have expressed reservations about such partnerships. Forward Bloc state secretary Naren Chatterjee made his party's position clear after meeting with LF chairman Biman Bose.
"We have made it clear that Forward Bloc will fight in alliance only with LF partners," Chatterjee declared. "We won't object if any LF partner thinks ISF will increase their strength. But if we go for an alliance with any other party, whether Congress or ISF, people will suspect us."
TMC's Reaction to Political Realignments
Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh responded to these developments with pointed criticism of the CPM's strategic position. "CPM needs Congress, ISF or Kabir to fight because they aren't confident," Ghosh asserted. "As long as Congress was in alliance, they were happy. Suddenly, it has turned into the devil."
Ghosh further accused the CPM of being critical even of its own Left Front allies when they raise questions about strategy. "They should fight alone this time to prove their strength," he concluded, challenging the communist party to demonstrate its independent electoral viability.
The political landscape in West Bengal continues to evolve as parties position themselves for the upcoming assembly elections, with traditional alliances dissolving and new strategies emerging in response to changing political dynamics.
