LF likely to have no alliance with Cong in WB by-polls

Hinting that there would be no alliance with Congress in the upcoming by-elections in two Lok Sabha and one Assembly seat in state, the opposition Left Front led by CPI(M) has asked its party leaders and workers to prepare for the upcoming by-polls and strengthen the party organisation.
Speaking to reporters after the conclusion of a meeting with Front partners at CPI(M) headquarters today, Left Front Chairman Biman Bose hinted that this time there would be no electoral understanding with the Congress for the by-polls.
"Notification for by-polls in Cooch Behar and Tamluk Lok Sabha Seats and Monteswar Assembly constituency will be issued in two or three days. We have asked our leaders and workers to start preparation for the by-polls and strengthen the party organisation," Bose said.

Responding to queries whether there would be an electoral understanding with the Congress for the by-polls, the Left Front Chairman said, "There was no such discussion in today's meeting."
"The Left Front constituents have been asked to start the primary preparations for the by-polls. As far as the Congress is concerned, it is better to ask its leaders about their plans for the by-polls. We are not concerned about that."
The CPI(M)-led Left Front had forged an alliance with the Congress in West Bengal ahead of the last state Assembly polls.
The decision to forge an alliance with ideologically opposite Congress raked up an inner party debate within the CPI(M).