Congress Severs Decade-Long Alliance with Left Front, Opts to Go Solo in 2026 Bengal Elections
In a significant political realignment, the Congress party has officially terminated its decade-old alliance with the Left Front, declaring its intention to "go it alone" in the upcoming 2026 West Bengal assembly elections. The party has resolved to contest all 294 seats, setting the stage for a highly competitive four-cornered contest in the state.
High Command Meeting Seals the Decision
The pivotal decision was made during a crucial meeting held at the official residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at 10, Rajaji Marg in New Delhi. This gathering, which had been postponed twice previously, brought together key party leaders to deliberate on the future of the alliance. AICC general secretary and Congress's Bengal in-charge, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, confirmed the outcome, stating, "We decided to walk alone, and it was a collective decision of the leadership. We will contest in all 294 seats."
Mir elaborated that the previous alliance with the Left Front had failed to energize the party's grassroots workers, a factor that heavily influenced the decision. He emphasized, "We entered into an alliance with the Left Front earlier, but that did not boost the morale of party workers at the ground level." The meeting also included virtual participation from some state leaders, reflecting a broad consensus that electors and workers in Bengal aspire for the party to fight independently this time.
Internal Divisions and Leadership Perspectives
The Pradesh Congress had been deeply divided over the issue of seat-sharing with the Left Front, with factions holding opposing views. While the Murshidabad unit, led by former PCC president Adhir Chowdhury, advocated for maintaining the alliance, the Malda unit strongly opposed any seat-sharing arrangement. Adhir Chowdhury, during the meeting, highlighted the historical benefits of the alliance, noting that it had helped Congress become the main opposition party in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly in 2016.
However, Pradesh Congress president Subhankar Sarkar, who favored assessing the party's strength independently, pointed out that the youth wing was particularly in favor of going solo. Sarkar remarked, "The youth were in favour of fighting alone this time. The high command kept their opinion in mind before coming to the decision." The high command also considered the political dynamics between the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front and the Congress-led United Democratic Front in Kerala, adding another layer to their strategic calculations.
Electoral Context and Future Implications
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Congress secured leads in 13 seats, primarily in Malda and Murshidabad, and showed progress in its vote tally despite inconsistencies in the alliance. Although both the Left Front and Congress were reduced to zero seats in the polarized 2021 assembly elections, Congress managed to win the Sagardighi by-election with Left support, underscoring the complex interplay between the two parties.
With Pradesh Congress functionaries claiming considerable strength in around 60 seats, the decision to contest alone marks a bold move aimed at revitalizing the party's presence in Bengal. This shift is expected to reshape the political landscape, potentially intensifying competition among the ruling Trinamool Congress, the BJP, the Left Front, and now a solo Congress, leading to a more fragmented and dynamic electoral battle in 2026.
