CPI-M Leaders Md Salim and Sujan Chakraborty Likely to Skip Bengal Assembly Elections
Synopsis
In a surprising turn of events, senior CPI-M leaders Md Salim and Sujan Chakraborty are set to forgo participation in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. Instead, they plan to focus on campaigning throughout the state, marking a significant shift in strategy for the party.
Key Takeaways
Md Salim and Sujan Chakraborty likely to skip elections.
Focus on campaigning instead of contesting.
Tradition of CPI-M state secretaries not contesting.
Only Minakshi Mukherjee and Palas Das will run.
Kolkata, March 12 (NationPress) Two prominent figures in the Communist Party of India (Marxist)—Politburo member and West Bengal state secretary Md Salim, along with central committee member Sujan Chakraborty, who previously led the Left Legislative parties in the West Bengal Assembly—are expected to abstain from participating in the upcoming Assembly elections scheduled for later this year.
This discussion took place during a recent meeting at the party's state secretariat.
A member of the state secretariat revealed that both Salim and Chakraborty were consulted during the meeting, and both expressed a preference to campaign for the party rather than contesting in the elections themselves.
Historically, state secretaries of the CPI-M in West Bengal have opted out of contesting elections.
This practice was established by the late Pramod Dasgupta, who was the first state secretary of the party in West Bengal and one of the initial nine members of the Politburo following the CPI-M split from the Communist Party of India (CPI) in 1964, with Puchalapalli Sundarayya serving as its first general secretary.
However, Salim’s predecessor deviated from this trend. Upon taking office, he was already a sitting legislator and also held the position of Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly.
During his tenure as state secretary, Salim contested in two elections—the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections—but faced defeats in both instances.
Regarding Chakraborty, other state secretariat members encouraged him to run; however, he reiterated his intention to travel the state and support fellow party candidates rather than running for election himself,” the state secretariat member stated.
At present, it has been decided that only two members of the state secretariat—Minakshi Mukherjee and Palas Das—will be contesting in the upcoming Assembly elections.
Point of View
The decision of key CPI-M leaders to abstain from contesting in the upcoming Assembly elections reflects a strategic maneuver, prioritizing grassroots campaigning over personal candidacy. This approach could potentially reshape the political landscape in West Bengal.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Md Salim and Sujan Chakraborty not contesting?
Both leaders prefer to focus on campaigning across the state rather than running for election themselves.
What is the historical context of CPI-M leaders contesting elections?
Traditionally, West Bengal's CPI-M state secretaries have refrained from contesting elections, a practice initiated by the late Pramod Dasgupta.
Who will contest the upcoming Assembly elections for CPI-M?
Only Minakshi Mukherjee and Palas Das from the state secretariat will be contesting in the elections.
What past elections have Md Salim contested?
Md Salim contested the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections but was defeated in both.
What role did Sujan Chakraborty play in the CPI-M?
Sujan Chakraborty has been a central committee member and a former leader of the Left Legislative parties in the West Bengal Assembly.
