The proposed alliance between the CPM-led Left Front and Congress in West Bengal for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections has hit a roadblock due to the objections raised by three major Left Front constituents.
CPI, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and Forward Bloc have objected to the alliance arguing that it goes against the interests of the Left Front.
The state Congress leadership also indicated that they are running out of patience with the "rigid attitude" of the CPM and the three other Left parties.
Speaking to DH, RSP general secretary Kshiti Goswami said that they have made it clear to the CPM leadership that they should ensure the Left Front does not fall apart in the process of joining forces with the Congress.
"We have made our reservations about the alliance with the Congress clear to the CPM leadership. The way a section of CPM leaders are feeding the media with incomplete information regarding the alliance have made us apprehensive that this time also it will end in a disaster for us like the way it did in the Assembly elections in 2016," said Goswami.
CPI state secretary Swapan Banerjee accused the CPM of "imposing" the alliance with the Congress on the Left Front in the 2016 Assembly elections.
"This time we have made it clear to the CPM that we will not accept their unilateral decisions. Left Front will collectively take a call on alliance with Congress," said Banerjee.
The state Congress leadership is getting exasperated with the Left Front allies "nagging objections" to the alliance.
Congress sources said that the situation has become such that CPM state Secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra and State Congress president Somen Mitra will soon sit for a one-on-one discussion to iron out the differences.
The Bengal Congress also has reservations about the CPM’s demand that 10 seats be given to the other Left Front constituents.
"RSP, CPI and Forward Bloc are struggling to retain their political relevance in Bengal. In such a situation we think that leaving 10 seats for them is not a logical demand," said a senior state Congress leader.
The three Left Front constituents scoffed at Congress’ comment and dubbed it as "irresponsible statements" which can disrupt the fight against Trinamool Congress and BJP in Bengal.
Sources in the CPM revealed that the party is "struggling" to resolve the situation.