West Bengal Assembly Elections: Will Congress Partner with Left Front or Stand Alone?

Kolkata, March 12 (NationPress) Following the announcement by the Trinamool Congress to not partner with the historic party during the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, it remains uncertain whether the Congress will seek an alliance with the Left Front or proceed independently.

Insiders from the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) indicate a split opinion within the party regarding collaboration with the CPI(M)-led Left Front.

"Opponents of any alliance believe that past collaborations have only served to undermine Congress in West Bengal. This sentiment stems from the alliance with Trinamool Congress during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections and the 2011 Assembly elections, which allegedly resulted in Trinamool systematically diminishing Congress' strength by luring away its elected officials," stated a senior Congress figure.

The same leader elaborated, "This faction argues that the ongoing seat-sharing deal with the Left Front, initiated in the 2016 Assembly elections and persisting through the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, has clouded the state Congress leadership's vision, leading them to focus less on strengthening the organization and more on the alliance with the Left Front."

Nonetheless, there is a contrasting perspective within the party.

"Some members contend that given the current organizational status of Congress in West Bengal, opting for a solo campaign in the 2026 Assembly elections would be tantamount to conceding defeat without a fight. With both Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee dismissing any prospect of a Congress-Trinamool alliance in 2026, the only viable alternative left for Congress seems to be a collaboration with the Left Front," the leader remarked.

However, he noted that the central command of Congress is hesitant to impose any decisions regarding this matter on the state leadership.

"Our central leadership prefers to make a decision after gauging the sentiments of the state Congress leadership, particularly the grassroots workers. A delegation from the All India Congress Committee is expected to visit West Bengal around June or July this year, potentially led by our national president Mallikarjun Kharge. This delegation will engage with various levels of state leadership on this issue before arriving at any conclusion regarding the seat-sharing arrangement," the WBPCC leader explained.

Challenges regarding the seat-sharing arrangement also exist on the part of the CPI(M), as revealed in the draft political resolution for their 24th party Congress set to take place in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, in April.

The draft resolution, published last month, emphasizes the CPI(M)'s intention to focus on independent political strategies moving forward rather than pursuing electoral alliances.

"The party should concentrate more on independent political initiatives and mobilizing the masses around its own platform. We must not dilute our independent identity or reduce our activities in the name of forming electoral alliances," stated the draft resolution.

To preserve this independent stance, the draft cautiously referenced West Bengal and Tripura, where the CPI(M)-led Left Front had previously established electoral collaborations with Congress.

"Enhancing the party's strength necessitates rebuilding and expanding the party and the Left in both West Bengal and Tripura. In West Bengal, it is crucial to focus on organizing the rural poor and conducting mass movements. The party must prioritize the political and ideological struggle against the BJP, while also opposing both TMC and BJP," the draft resolution outlined regarding the West Bengal scenario.