West Bengal Elections 2016: Bengal Congress leaders await outcome of CPI(M) meet

Congress leaders in West Bengal are awaiting the outcome of CPI(M) state committee meeting next week on a possible alliance between the two parties for the coming assembly elections in the state.

"We are eagerly waiting for the outcome of CPI(M) state committee meeting to be held on February 12 and 13. It is true that senior leaders have openly spoken in favour of alliance. But we feel there is need for an official stand (alliance with Congress) by CPI(M) as only then people of Bengal, who are opposed to TMC will have clarity," said a senior state Congress leader on condition of anonymity. "We have done our bit. We have spoken to our party leadership and have appealed in favour of forging an alliance.

Now it is for CPI(M) to make their stand clear and official. Lets see what CPI(M) state committee and central committee decides," another senior state Congress leader Abdul Manan told PTI. The issue gained momentum in the last two months after several senior CPI(M) leaders sent feelers to Congress for forging a tie-up to oust ruling Trinamool Congress from Bengal.

Former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and CPI(M) state secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra during public meetings had called upon Congress to join hands with the Left Front. CPI(M) will hold a two-day state committee meet from February 12 to take a final call on the issue of electoral tactics, including alliance with Congress for the coming assembly polls in West Bengal.

The final decision on the issue of alliance will be taken by the party's central committee. Congress leaders from West Bengal had unanimously rejected any alliance with TMC but remained divided on a tie-up with the Left when party Vice President Rahul Gandhi held consultations with them.