Forward Block meet sees criticism of Left's tie-up with Cong

The Left-Congress tie-up during West Bengal Assembly polls today came for criticism from members of Central Committee of All India Forward Bloc (AIFB), a constituent of the CPI(M)-led Left Front, as they reviewed the party's performance in the election.
"The Committee discussed the five state poll results, especially that of West Bengal. As part of the electoral understanding, our party had to let go eight-nine seats to Congress.
"This move apparently did not help us as our tally of MLAs has come down. So, many members were critical of the alliance," sources said.
During the two-day meeting, which concluded here today, the Committee members also discussed the two-year performance of the Narendra Modi Government at the Centre, besides some organisational issues, the sources added.

AIFB secretary G Devarajan confirmed the issues came up for discussion in the meeting, but did not divulge details of the same.
"The members discussed the issues thoroughly. But a final view in this connection will be taken by party secretariat which will meet tomorrow," he said.

To its disappointment, the AIFB bagged only two seats in the election as against 12 it won during the previous assembly polls.
The party, formed by Subhas Chandra Bose, had contested 26 seats in the polls held in April-May this year.
In all, the Left Front had put on a dismal show during the West Bengal polls, winning only 32 seats as against 44 of Congress in the 294-member House.

Earlier this month, the Central Committee of CPI(M) too had criticised the Left-Congress alliance saying it was not in consonance with party's political-tactical line.