The CPI (M) Polit Bureau on Sunday, at the end of the two-day meeting to discuss electoral strategy, resolved to have a tactical understanding in select seats with the Congress in West Bengal, to consolidate anti-BJP and anti-Trinamool Congress votes.
The final call will be taken at the central committee, the party’s highest decision-making body, in March.
General secretary Sitaram Yechury had told the media on Saturday that the party’s poll strategy will depend on local factors and necessities. “No pre-poll alliance in mahagathbandhan is possible as of now. It will depend on the State-wise reports on the electoral tactics,” he said.
The Polit Bureau for the very first time has also stressed on the need to increase the strength of the CPI (M) in the Lok Sabha. The CPI (M) is down to nine MPs in the House and even its national party status is threatened if the tally goes down any further.
The Kerala unit of the party which had resisted any alliance or understanding with the Congress has reduced its pitch by a few notches. The Bengal unit presented figures of killings and attacks on its cadres to highlight the dire situation in the State.
“We have discussed the tactics to be followed in all the States and asked the State committees to discuss them further and employ appropriate measures based on the party Congress decision. I have no other clarification to offer,” S. Ramachandran Pillai, Polit Bureau member from Kerala said.
At a meeting of the Pradesh Congress Committee presidents with Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal PCC president Somendra Nath Mitra had ruled out the possibility of a tie-up with the Trinamool Congress. He said the TMC does not accept Mr. Gandhi as leader. He also pressed for a tactical understanding with the CPI(M) in select seats.
The West Bengal unit of the party that had a similar understanding with the Congress for Assembly elections, has again sought a tie-up, which it sees as essential for the CPI(M)’s survival in the State.