Fri Feb 06 22:47:39 UTC 2026: # Congress Goes Solo in West Bengal Assembly Polls, Shaking Left Front Alliance Hopes

The Story:
The Congress party has announced its decision to contest independently in all 294 Assembly constituencies in the upcoming West Bengal elections, effectively ending any speculation of an electoral alliance with the Left Front. This decision, revealed on February 5, 2026, following a meeting involving key Congress leaders, throws West Bengal’s political landscape into flux, potentially impacting the electoral prospects of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)].

CPI(M) State Secretary Md. Salim downplayed the impact of Congress’s decision, stating there was never a formal alliance but a seat-sharing arrangement, and highlighting the perceived soft stance of the new State Congress president Subhankar Sarkar towards the Trinamool Congress. The CPI(M) is now exploring new alliances with parties like Janata Unnayan Party (JUP) and Indian Secular Front (ISF).

Key Points:

  • The Congress party will contest independently in all 294 West Bengal Assembly constituencies.
  • The decision was made after a meeting on February 5, 2026, with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, and Subhankar Sarkar.
  • CPI(M) leader Md. Salim claims the absence of a formal alliance and downplays the impact of Congress’s decision.
  • CPI(M) is exploring new alliances with Humayun Kabir’s Janata Unnayan Party (JUP) and Naswad Siddique’s Indian Secular Front (ISF).
  • West Bengal politics has largely become bipolar between Trinamool Congress and BJP after 2018.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Congress party’s decision weakens the possibility of a unified front against the Trinamool Congress and BJP in West Bengal.
  • The CPI(M) is now forced to seek new alliances to maintain its relevance in the state’s political landscape.
  • The decision highlights the shifting political dynamics in West Bengal, where traditional alliances are being re-evaluated.
  • The perceived reluctance of the new Congress state president to confront the Trinamool Congress played a role in the party’s decision.
  • The political landscape in West Bengal, once dominated by the Left, is now bipolar between the Trinamool Congress and BJP, marginalizing other parties.

Impact Analysis:

The Congress party’s decision to go solo will likely fragment the anti-Trinamool vote, potentially benefiting the ruling Trinamool Congress. The CPI(M)’s ability to forge new alliances will be crucial for its survival in the state. This development could further consolidate the bipolar political landscape in West Bengal, making it more challenging for smaller parties to gain traction. The long-term implications include a potential weakening of the Congress party in West Bengal and a continued struggle for the Left Front to regain its former influence. The success of the CPI(M)’s new alliance strategy will be a key indicator of the future direction of West Bengal politics.

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