Leaflets bearing Cong-CPI(M) symbols leave leaders of both parties red-faced

Though senior Congress and CPI(M) leaders are skeptical about the possible electoral alliance, leaflets  containing the symbols of the two parties and urging people to support the alliance were found at Chopra in North Dinajpur.

This has created a flutter in the area. Though local leaders of both the parties have denied their involvement in the matter, the residents said the leaders of the Congress and the CPI(M) were trying to woo them before the polls and so leaflets had been distributed.

Meanwhile, veteran Congress leader DP Roy on Tuesday said any attempt to form an alliance with the CPI(M) was “unethical”. He said he had told WBPCC leaders that he would not contest if electoral alliance between the two parties was formed. Roy was very close to Rajiv Gandhi. He said it was unfortunate that some Congress leaders were trying to make alliance with the CPI(M) which was the most “opportunist party”. “If you study the post independent history, you will not find a single party so opportunist like the CPI(M). Now, the party is trying to use the Congress to regain its position,” Roy maintained.

Veteran party leader Manas Bhuniya, who had met Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi in Delhi and suggested  that alliance with the CPI(M) would be “detrimental”, said, “I have always believed that the Congress should  fight alone. If we do badly  in 2016 Assembly polls, we should gear up for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls,” he maintained.

It may be mentioned that Congress leader Saurav Chowdhury had met Mukul Roy in Delhi. Chowdhury is also not in favour of the alliance.

Former Supreme Court judge Ashok Ganguly on Tuesday met Siliguri Mayor and former state Urban Development Minister Ashok Bhattacharya at his residence. Describing the visit as a “courtesy call”, Ganguly said people had already made an alliance and now it was the time for the political parties to give their nod in favour of the tie-up.

The Congress and CPI(M) are anxiously waiting for the decision of the Congress high command. Some leaders of both the parties believe that the Trinamool’s position would be badly hit if there was an alliance, while many more belonging to both the parties maintain that the alliance would be a disaster and will benefit the TMC to consolidate its  position in the state.