Congress Goes It Alone as AISF–Left Seat Talks Hit 40‑vs‑32 Standoff in Bengal

Overview

• Congress leaders said the party will contest all 294 Assembly seats in West Bengal, ending pre‑poll tie‑ups with the Left.
• AISF pressed for at least 40 constituencies while the CPI(M)‑led Left Front capped its offer at 32, following a marathon meeting attended by Biman Bose and ISF MLA Nawsad Siddiqui.
• Left Front partners, including the Forward Bloc and the RSP, are pushing for larger shares, with reports of resistance from the CPI(M) over their demands.
• Sources said AISF/ISF could start unveiling nominees next week to raise pressure, with potential picks in Canning East and Canning West and Siddiqui expected to recontest Bhangar.
• The shifting arithmetic points to a likely four‑cornered race, and political observers in Kolkata suggest disunity could hand the ruling TMC an advantage.