Alliance in jeopardy as Cong looks to publish list of 32 candidates

WBPCC chief Adhir Chowdhury said that the difference with CPI(M) would be resolved soon and at the same time maintained that the party would publish a list of 32 candidates within a day or two  causing further confusion over the proposed tie up.

Praising the CPI(M)’s move to resolve the stalemate , Chowdhury who held a press conference at Bidhan Bhavan, State headquarters of the party said that the CPI(M) was eager  to resolve the impasse and was even ready to withdraw its candidate from Jangipur. “But CPI(M) has its compulsion and it has to convince its allies , many of whom are opposing the alliance .”

Creating confusion among party leaders and workers Chowdhury said that a list of 32 candidates would be announced within a day or two. The party has already fielded its candidates in 75 seats and fielding 32 more candidates would mean that party leaders would contest in 107 seats. It may be recalled that Rahul Gandhi had asked Chowdhury not to bow down to the Left in sharing of seats and field candidates in 100 seats.

Three party heavyweights Somen Mitra, Pradip Bhattacharya and Abdul Mannan had met Suryakanta Misra at Ganashakti office on Friday. The leaders said that the discussion was held in favourable atmosphere. Mitra on Saturday said that the problem would be ironed out soon. In this backdrop Chowdhury’s statement of fielding more candidates has raised confusion among political circles. About the meeting between Congress leaders and Misra on Friday, a veteran CPI leader said the meeting was not an official one and Left Front chairman Biman Bose had not briefed the Front partners about the meeting. “We did not know that such a meeting was being held. We heard from television,” said a veteran RSP leader. “It is a long process and it will be difficult for Left Front to withdraw its candidates and release a fresh list,” he said. Chowdhury on Saturday admitted that the Trinamool Congress was far ahead of other parties in campaign. “Election process is quite long and we will start canvassing soon. But she has the state machinery which she is utilising to launch her campaign,” he said. Meanwhile, posters criticising the alliance were put in different area of the city. The posters alleged that the alliance was the brain child of some “leaders with vested interest” and urged people not to get swayed by their promises.