Left not keen on Congress tieup

To seek the opinion of its Left Front constituents over the issue of alliance with Congress, CPI(M) satraps on Tuesday held separate discussions with CPI and Forward Bloc. The CPI(M) leadership, however, failed to receive a “green signal” from its allies over the alliance issue. However, CPI state secretary Prabodh Panda said that there could be a joint protest movements against the Trinamul Congress government with the Congress.

CPI(M) state secretary Surjyakanta Mishra, party politburo member Biman Bose and Lok Sabha MP Mohammad Salim held meetings with CPI(M) and Forward Bloc leaders at state party headquarters. Although the discussion was primarily aimed at making preparations for the month-long agitation programmes, the CPI(M) state leadership, however, laid stress on exploring the possibilities of an alliance with Congress.

According to party insiders, the allies had a disagreement with CPI(M) leaders over the alliance issue and were reluctant to consider such options ahead of the Assembly election.

The meeting was convened after CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said that it was prerogative of the party state committee to take a decision in this regard, come up with a resolution and sent it to the party politburo.

The CPI(M) state committee had to discuss the issue with its allies before taking a call. However, the leaders failed to receive a green signal from its allies after Tuesday’s meeting.

On Monday, CPI(ML) Liberation had said that it would not support CPI(M) if it entered into an alliance with Congress.

CPI(ML) Liberation is not a part of the Left Front but one of the constituents responsible for the unity of 17 Left parties. The CPI(M) is yet to discuss the issue with its another ally, RSP.