The CPI(M)-led Left Front and the All India Secular Front (AISF) are in discussions regarding seat-sharing for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. The AISF is pushing for at least 40 out of the total 294 Assembly constituencies, while the CPI(M)-led Left Front has offered a maximum of 32 seats. A recent meeting at the CPI(M) state headquarters in Kolkata involved key figures from both parties, including Biman Bose and Nawsad Siddique.
The AISF is adamant about contesting in 44 minority-dominated constituencies and insists on a minimum of 40 seats. However, the CPI(M) has conveyed that due to the need for a balanced seat distribution among Left Front allies, they can allocate a maximum of 32 seats to the AISF, which may not all be from the AISF’s preferred list. With the Congress opting out of the seat-sharing agreement this year, the Left Front believes accommodating AISF’s demand should not pose a significant challenge.
While the AISF argues that the absence of Congress simplifies the seat-sharing process, the CPI(M) contends that other Left Front allies like CPI, Revolutionary Socialist Party, and All India Forward Bloc are also seeking increased seat allocations this time. In the previous West Bengal Assembly elections, the Left Front, Congress, and AISF collaborated under the ‘Sanjukta Morcha’ banner. However, AISF parted ways during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, while Congress and the Left Front continued their alliance.
