Overview
- The announcement followed a high-level meeting at Mallikarjun Kharge’s New Delhi residence attended by Rahul Gandhi, state chief Subhankar Sarkar and other Bengal leaders.
- AICC in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir said past tie-ups weakened grassroots workers and confirmed preparations are underway to field candidates across the state.
- CPI(M) state secretary Mohammed Salim said the Left wants all anti-TMC and anti-BJP forces to unite but acknowledged there has been no meaningful pre-poll agreement with Congress.
- Salim confirmed the Left Front’s understanding with the All India Secular Front will continue, with seat-sharing talks ongoing.
- The decision points to a multi-cornered race in elections expected around April–May, against the backdrop of 2021 results when TMC won 213 seats, BJP 77 and the Congress-Left alliance drew a blank.