Notwithstanding the rise of the BJP as a political force in these States, the ideological and political policies that delineate the CPI(M) are in contrast to the Congress’ policies. It is only in West Bengal where an alliance with the Congress is seen as sine qua non. The CPI(M)’s leadership in Bengal sees the alliance with the Congress as a way to increase its diminished electoral support. The CPI(M) and other Left parties are at a low. Talk of an alliance is meaningless without any effort by the leadership to rev up the CPI(M)’s cadres to begin campaigns and movements in places where the Left parties are both weak or strong.

Source: The Hindu January 21, 2018 18:45 UTC