Left reviews Bengal poll performance, tie-up with Congress

The CPM central leadership was divided on the question of having an electoral understanding with the Congress with leaders like Prakash Karat and S Ramachandran Pillai opposing it.

A protest rally organised by Congress in connection with independent MLA Debojyoti Roy, Councillor of Kandi Municipality, Murshidabad district who was allegedly kidnapped before a vote of confidence in the civic body (Express photo by Partha Paul)

The CPM Bengal unit’s decision to join hands with the Congress came in for criticism in the politburo with a section of members arguing it was against the decision of the central committee. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

Days after the defeat in West Bengal, the CPM politburo and CPI national executive Sunday met to review the Left’s performance in the Assembly elections. The CPM Bengal unit’s decision to join hands with the Congress came in for criticism in the politburo with a section of members arguing it was against the decision of the central committee.

Sources said those criticising the alliance felt the party should have strived to improve its independent strength instead of entering into a tie-up with the Congress. Sources said leaders from Kerala argued that the alliance in Bengal was used by political opponents like the BJP in its campaign. The meeting will continue on Monday and sources said the Bengal leadership would defend the alliance.

[related-post]

The CPM central leadership was divided on the question of having an electoral understanding with the Congress with leaders like Prakash Karat and S Ramachandran Pillai opposing it. General secretary Sitaram Yechury was in favour of an unofficial tacit understanding to save the party from extinction.

Story continues below this ad

The CPI national executive too held its review. The party, which initially had reservations about the alliance with the Congress, concluded that the Left Front underestimated the support to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee because of some of her welfare initiatives.

Contrary to the initial assessment about transfer of Congress votes, the CPI is learnt to have come to a conclusion that there has been transfer of Congress votes to its candidates, but not in proportion to the transfer of Left votes to the Congress. Compared to the Lok Sabha election, CPI candidates got an average of 10,000 votes more, the party assessed. In one constituency, it got about 23,000 votes more.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Loading Taboola...

RBI keeps repo rate unchanged at 5.5%

Business55 min ago

The Reserve Bank of India Wednesday kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.5 per cent. "MPC decides to keep monetary policy stance unchanged at 'neutral'", says RBI Governor. This is the second time that the repo rate has been kept unchanged.

View all shorts

Live Blog