Weeks before the West Bengal Assembly elections, Congress is uncertain about forming an electoral alliance with the Left Front to challenge the ruling Trinamool Congress and BJP in the state. Communist Party of India (Marxist) state unit secretary Mohammad Salim has criticized Congress for hesitating on the alliance, emphasizing the need for a strong Left-Congress partnership.
Salim has openly urged Congress to make a quick decision on the alliance talks, prompting a counterattack from the state Congress leadership. The exchange of criticisms has cast doubt on the possibility of an alliance, especially after previous regional tie-ups failed to yield significant political gains for either party in West Bengal.
At the national level, the CPI(M) faced setbacks after parting ways with Congress. The fallout from withdrawing support to the Congress-led government in 2008 weakened the Left’s influence in national politics, leading to a decline in their Lok Sabha seats from 60 to about two dozen in the subsequent elections. The episode highlighted the Left’s struggle to shape national policy and maintain relevance in Indian politics.
An internal rift within the CPI(M) emerged, with leaders from West Bengal and Kerala differing on their approach towards Congress. While the West Bengal faction aimed to maintain ties with Congress, the Kerala leaders opposed such alliances due to regional political dynamics. The Left’s current predicament, especially in Kerala, underscores the challenges they face in aligning with Congress in the evolving political landscape.
