Left parties miffed as Cong woos Mamata

Now, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi says that the party is ‘‘interested in an alliance with the Trinamool Congress and we are talking about it’’.

The Congress’ moves in Bengal have come in for sharp criticism from the Left. CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat has described as ‘‘contradictory’’ the recent Congress political resolution that called for coalition maryada and at same time declared an uncompromising fight against the Left in the two states. The CPI(M) leader also reportedly criticised Congress attempts to woo Mamata.

Singhvi has advised the Left parties to get ‘‘contemporaneous’’ and move beyond ‘‘stereotype paradigms’’ on issues of foreign policy and the economy.

The Congress, however, has made it clear that an alliance with Mamata is possible only if she severs ties with the BJP. Mamata has refused to do so and has instead invited the Congress to join her nine-party Paschimbanga Ganatantrik Front.