Is there no dialogue between Humayun Kabir's party and ISF regarding an alliance in Bengal?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Nawsad Siddiqui denies alliance talks with JUP.
- Humayun Kabir seeks collaboration for elections.
- ISF is engaging with Left Front leaders.
- The previous alliance in 2021 had limited success.
- Future alliances remain uncertain.
Kolkata, Dec 28 (NationPress) The chairman of the Indian Secular Front (ISF), Nawsad Siddiqui, stated on Sunday that there have been no discussions about forming an electoral alliance with the newly established Janata Unnayan Party (JUP), led by the suspended Trinamool Congress leader Humayun Kabir.
This clarification follows Kabir's recent comments expressing his desire to partner with ISF for the forthcoming West Bengal Assembly elections.
On Saturday, Siddiqui visited the CPI(M) headquarters in Kolkata, engaging with Left Front leaders who previously collaborated with ISF during the 2021 Assembly elections.
In a statement to the press, Siddiqui remarked, "No one has approached us with such a proposal. There has been no dialogue with any member of our state committee regarding this matter. If any discussions had occurred verbally with any member of our party's state leadership, I would have been informed. Therefore, I am not aware of any intentions from Kabir's party to seek an alliance with us for the Assembly elections."
Kabir had previously stated, "In the future political landscape of Bengal, I see a collaboration between myself and ISF. If AIMIM wishes to join, they are welcome to do so."
Meanwhile, Siddiqui has reinitiated preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections, having sent emails to Left Front Chairman Biman Basu and West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee President Shubankar Sarkar, requesting discussions about a potential electoral alliance.
While the Congress leadership at Bidhan Bhavan did not respond, Siddiqui received a favorable response from Left leaders, prompting him to visit the party's Alimuddin Street office in central Kolkata.
During his visit, he met with Biman Basu, CPI(M) state secretary Md Salim, and senior leader Srideep Bhattacharya.
Siddiqui mentioned, "Discussions regarding an alliance have just commenced. Our aim is to unify anti-BJP and anti-Trinamool forces. We deliberated on ensuring a seamless process. ISF is even willing to make sacrifices for the sake of this alliance."
In the 2021 Assembly elections in Bengal, the Left Front, Congress, and ISF formed an electoral coalition known as the United Front. While the Left and Congress did not win any seats, ISF secured one Assembly seat, with Siddiqui being the sole candidate to triumph in the Bhangar Assembly constituency.
However, the alliance unraveled during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections when the parties opted to contest separately.