Siliguri, 06th February: CPI(M) State Secretary Mohammad Salim on Friday stated that the Left Front will face no setback in the upcoming Assembly elections despite not forming an alliance with Congress. He made the remarks during a press conference at Anil Biswas Bhavan, outlining the Left Front’s position ahead of the polls.
Salim said that CPI(M) has never had a formal alliance with Congress, only seat-sharing, and that after the last Assembly elections, there has been no joint programme between Congress and CPI(M). He added that the new state president of Congress has not taken any position against Trinamool Congress, which made the party’s stance clear. Later, Congress announced it would contest alone, and accordingly, CPI(M) has decided to contest all 294 seats.
Regarding a possible alliance with Humayun Kabir, Salim said Kabir had approached CPI(M) after being expelled from his party and expressed interest in forming an alliance. However, he clarified that discussions do not mean an alliance, and talks will first happen within CPI(M) before being taken up with potential partners.
Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb commented that previously both parties contested based on seat-sharing and neither could win. Now CPI(M) is interested in an alliance, but Congress is not. He noted that Mohammad Salim is meeting Humayun Kabir and that many within the party oppose it, but these are internal matters of another political party, and they have no concern. He added that the administration remains with the people throughout the year.