The Left Front and the Congress on Tuesday (February 16) announced finalisation of seat sharing for Bengal Assembly polls. However, they refrained from saying the number of constituencies each would contest because of parleys with Indian Secular Front and other parties.
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State Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that several smaller political forces, including ISF, NCP and RJD are willing to fight alongside the Left-Congress alliance.
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Left Front Chairman Biman Bose said, “We want that the Left parties, the National Congress and the ISF participate in the Bengal polls in 2021 on the basis of a mutual understanding.”
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Although both the leaders named several parties, the seat sharing agreement could not be announced primarily because of the ISF. According to sources, ISF chief Abbas Siddiqui has demanded 60 to 80 seats from the Left-Congress alliance.
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Congress leader Abdul Mannan said that the Congress and Left which had already finalised the seat-sharing agreement have taken note of the demands of the ISF.
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Congress West Bengal in-charge Jitin Prasada said, “Talks over alliance formation between Congress and Left parties are on. Proposal of other parties also being considered. Congress and Left parties will hold a joint rally on February 28 at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata.”
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