CPI(M) not ruling out alliance with Cong in Bengal

CPI(M) Politburo member Mohammed Salim today said his party has not ruled out the prospect of an electoral alliance with the Congress ahead of the Assembly elections in West Bengal and has already spoken out the desire of the masses to oust the ruling TMC regime.
"The people of Bengal want to get rid of the misrule of TMC. They want an alliance of all democratic and secular forces in the state. We have only given words to those aspirations. Our state secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra has already stated it. So all stakeholders, among whom this alliance has to be formed, need to be active," Salim told reporters on the sidelines of a programme here.

"We are not ruling out any possibility," he said.
Speculation on an electoral alliance between the Congress and the Left gained momentum after CPI(M) state secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra, while addressing a rally on January 10, had said "It is now time for the Congress to decide yes or no. Now, the Congress has to decide what it will do. They have to talk to their high command. It may take time. (But) the sooner they take the decision, the better."
State Congress president Adhir Chowdhury today said there were high chances of an alliance between the Congress and the Left, but added it was for the party high command to take the final call.

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Meanwhile, a meeting took place today at the West Bengal state Congress office between Adhir Chowdhury and state presidents of JD(U) Amitabh Datta and RJD Binda Ray.
According to state Congress sources, the leaders shared their perspective on political developments in the state.
"This preliminary meeting between alliance partners of Mahagatbandhan (grand alliance) of Bihar took place in the backdrop of the coming Assembly elections in West Bengal.
"This meeting is a step forward in Congress's preparations for the electoral battle in West Bengal," a Congress leader said.