CPIM hints at going it alone in LS polls

On Thursday, the two-day state committee meeting of the CPI (M) concluded, during which the state leadership of the party decided that they would only concentrate its vote share in the coming Lok Sabha election in 2024 and would not put pressure on other parties to join their coalition or in terms of any seat sharing.

CPI(M) state secretary Md Selim said on Friday, “We decided to continue our fight against both the ruling TMC and the BJP. So, as for those parties that maintain close relationship with either the TMC or the BJP in Bengal, we will maintain distance from them as well.”

A senior CPI(M) leader said, “We are now only concentrating on organising a huge rally at Brigade Parade Ground at January 7 which we have named as “Insaaf Brigade”. After “Insaaf Yatra” of our youth leadership, we are confident that, we will be able to organise a mega rally on January 7. We are now only concentrating on our vote bank so that, we will see better results in the 2026 Assembly election.”

He said, “As of now, we are not bothering about who will join us or not. We are preparing ourselves to go alone. We are only trying to increase organisational strength of Left Front.”

Meanwhile, the TMC is sure that the CPI(M) will not go with them in any type of seat sharing pact. However, they are apparently keen to make seat-sharing adjustment with the Congress in West Bengal. However, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said, “The CPI(M), BJP, and the Congress have forged an alliance in West Bengal and are actively campaigning against us. The INDIA opposition alliance will confront the BJP nationwide, with the TMC spearheading the battle in West Bengal.”

Meanwhile,, Congress MP Abu Hashem Khan Chowdhury (Dalu) claimed that the Trinamool chairperson had already agreed to cede two seats to the Congress.

Brother of the Malda leader the late Gani Khan Chowdhury, Abu Khan is also optimistic that the Congress will get a chance to contest from its constituency Maldah-South and Congress President Adhir Chowdhury’s constituency Berhampore.

According to Abu Khan, “Mamata Banerjee is giving up Malda South and Baharampur seat to Congress. We were looking for more places. Hopefully there won’t be any problems with the alliance. Trinamool must increase some seats for Congress in West Bengal. giving two seats to the Congress in Bengal will not solve the problem. Trinamool vacated Baharampur and South Malda Lok Sabha constituencies. But we have demand for more seats.”

Congress President Adhir Chowdhury however hinted that, Dalu’s statement has no meaning because all decision will be taken by their high command. Chowdhury said, “Delhi will decide everything so, we do not have any comment on this.”