Opposition's I.N.D.I.A alliance in jeopardy? CPI (M) refuses seat sharing in West Bengal and Kerala: Report

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• Sep 18, 2023 | Dhupali Das

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has taken a strategic decision not to forge alliances in the key states of...

Digital Desk: The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has taken a strategic decision not to forge alliances in the key states of Bengal and Kerala, where it finds itself in stiff competition with political heavyweights such as Mamata Banerjee's All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and the Indian National Congress (INC).

In a move that has stirred up political discourse, the CPI-M has also chosen to abstain from appointing a representative for coordination meetings of the anti-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) front, known as the I.N.D.I.A bloc. This decision has triggered discussions about the unity of the opposition alliance, which is striving to coalesce against the BJP in the upcoming national elections.

According to media sources, CPI-M's move to distance itself from both the BJP and the Trinamool Congress in Bengal is aimed at preserving its own political identity. This decision underscores the apparent rifts within the opposition camp as they gear up for the electoral battle against the BJP.

These pivotal decisions were reached during a meeting of the CPI-M's politburo in Delhi over the weekend, where party leaders strategically aligned themselves for the upcoming political landscape. The primary objective appears to be preventing the fragmentation of opposition votes, which could inadvertently bolster the BJP's prospects.

The CPI-M's conspicuous absence from the INDIA coordination committee meeting last week, leaving an empty seat in the 14-member panel, added weight to its newfound stance.

Notably, these decisions are unlikely to ruffle the feathers of Mamata Banerjee, who has previously voiced reservations about sharing a stage with Left leaders.

In an official statement, the CPI-M politburo emphasized its commitment to bolstering and expanding the alliance but refrained from delineating these specific decisions. The statement, however, underscored the imperative of shielding the union government and state power from BJP control.

While the politburo has thrown its full support behind the party's stance in recent I.N.D.I.A bloc meetings held in Patna, Bengaluru, and Mumbai, it has simultaneously voiced concerns about the "organisational structures" within the alliance. The CPI-M has advocated for an environment where leaders of constituent parties can make decisions without facing organizational impediments.

Additionally, the party has opted not to appoint a representative for the I.N.D.I.A Coordination and Election Strategy committee, mirroring the cancellation of the I.N.D.I.A rally in Bhopal by senior Congress leader Kamal Nath. Nath cited concerns within his party regarding the I.N.D.I.A rally's timing, given the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) announcement of candidates against the Congress in the upcoming Madhya Pradesh polls.

The I.N.D.I.A bloc finds itself navigating intricate dynamics, including the rivalry between the CPI-M and Mamata Banerjee, as well as simmering tensions between the Congress and the AAP. These recent developments underscore the challenges facing opposition parties as they seek to forge a unified front against the BJP in the forthcoming national elections.

Source: Swarajya