Leader of the Congress Legislature Party in the Assembly, Manas Bhuiyan told that Congress in unity with Trinamool Congress would contest the elections with a common objective of defeating the CPI(M)-led Left Front.
Despite failing to clinch a seat-sharing deal with Trinamool Congress for civic elections, Congress in West Bengal today expressed confidence that the two parties would fight next year's assembly polls jointly.
Leader of the Congress Legislature Party in the Assembly, Manas Bhuiyan told PTI that Congress in unity with Trinamool Congress would contest the elections with a common objective of defeating the CPI(M)-led Left Front which is in power in the state since 1977.
"This is the demand of the people that both sides contest the election jointly to drive out the Marxists from power in West Bengal," he said.
He said the Trinamool Congress' decision to support the Congress in the July five assembly by-election in Durgapur-1 seat was the first instance of the two parties joining hands after the breakdown of the alliance during the civic election.
The seat fell vacant after the death of sitting CPI(M) MLA and former state power minister Mrinal Banerjee.
"We are also helping each other to form the municipal boards in the municipalities which threw up a hung verdict in the May 30 civic polls. The process has already started," Bhuiyan said.
He said in 17 municipalities, Trinamool Congress could form the boards with Congress support. Similarly, Congress needs TC support to form boards in eight other municipalities.
"The WBPCC has given directions to presidents of the District Congress Committees to cooperate with Trinamool Congress to form municipal boards where there is a hung verdict."
Trinamool emerged a big winner in the civic polls held on May 30 wresting control of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and 26 other municipalities from the Left Front while 25 other municipalities threw a hung verdict. There was a tie in four other municipalities. The Congress won in only seven municipalities and the Left front in 18.
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