The Mahagathbandhan’s Next Big Call: Mamata or the CPM in Bengal?

Has the Left lost the opportunity to form an alliance against Mamata Banerjee in Bengal?

Supporters of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) attend a public rally. (Photo: Reuters)

After Bihar, West Bengal could be the next place where the Mahagathbandhan tries to expand its alliance on the road to facing off against Narendra Modi and the BJP in 2019.

On the day of their massive victory, the incumbent chief minister Nitish Kumar and his bada bhai Lalu Yadav tried to make two things clear: Nitish Kumar will rule Bihar and try to deliver on the promises made in his manifesto; Lalu Prasad Yadav will continue his battle with the BJP and try to take the momentum from this victory beyond the state.

We will continue with our fight [against the BJP]. There will be such a long-term impact of Bihar results on the national politics that you cannot imagine.

<b>Lalu Prasad Yadav, RJD Chief</b>

Did the Left Squander an Opportunity?

The JD(U) and RJD were keen on having the left parties, particularly the Communist Party India (CPI) and the Communist Party India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] as a part of their Grand Alliance.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi with RJD leader Tejaswi Yadav and JD(U)’s KC Tyagi at an election rally in Bihar. (Photo: Reuters)

Many senior leaders in our camp were keen on the Left. We tried to convince them that all secular parties need to come together to combat the BJP and RSS. However, they remained unmoved.

<b>Source within the JD(U)</b>

The communists, however, chose Left unity instead.

Given that the Congress has managed to increase its tally from four to 27 on the back of the alliance, the two mainstream left parties would probably have gained out of the Mahagathbandhan wave.

But more importantly, for the CPI(M) at least, is the political momentum from a decent performance in Bihar that would have given the party a fillip in Bengal.

Are the Left’s Reasons Good Enough?

CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury with Prakash Karat (right), Manik Sarkar (center) and Brinda Karat (left). (Photo: PTI)

We congratulate the people of Bihar and also the Grand Alliance for their landmark victory. <i>Achhe din</i> have finally begun for the people.

<b>Sitaram Yechury, General Secretary CPI(M)</b>

Could the Left have been part of what their own leader called a “landmark victory”? In an interview to The Quint during the Bihar campaign, Sitaram Yechury cited the lack of an adequate seat sharing arrangement and the Grand Alliance’s “caste based politics” as reasons for not allying with them.

There is also the more cynical explanation: The Left parties are in danger of losing their national party status and fought alone to keep up their vote share.

However, the Bengal elections, which are around the corner, are crucial to the Left. After ruling the state for nearly four decades, they suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TC).

For the CPI(M), the 2016 polls are exceedingly important. Mamata Banerjee has already invited Lalu Prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumar to address meetings in the state.

Mamata Banerjee is still seen as the front runner in West Bengal. (Photo: Reuters)

Since they have been snubbed by the Left, the Mahagathbandhan and the Congress, in particular, may well go with the TMC in Bengal. Mamata, however, has been allied with the BJP in the past and has even shared the stage with PM Modi.

If the Congress and its allies go with Mamata, it is the Left more than the BJP that will suffer.

Unless the CPI(M) reaches out to others soon, though, they could end up facing a formidable opposition in Bengal.