ISF restive after LF silence on alliance proposal
The Statesman | 18 October 2025Speaking to reporters, Siddiqui said he had written to Left Front chairman Biman Bose in August, urging him to initiate talks on forming a united front against the Trinamul Congress and the BJP. “I wrote to Biman Bose seeking clarity on the alliance, but he has not replied yet,” Siddiqui told journalists, hinting at growing unease within the ISF camp.
The ISF legislator reminded that Bose had earlier assured him that discussions would take place after Durga Puja, but the party is still waiting for any communication. The friction between the ISF and the Left Front is not new. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the ISF had contested separately after talks with the Left collapsed.
Reacting to Siddiqui’s remarks, CPI-M central committee member Sujan Chakraborty said the Left was open to uniting all secular forces against both the Trinamul Congress and the BJP. “We are keen to bring everyone together to defeat the BJP and Trinamul. But whether others want to join this collective fight depends on their stand,” Chakraborty said while addressing a gathering in Bhangar today.
The tensions recall the 2021 Assembly election experiment when the Left, Congress, and ISF had formed the Sanjukta Morcha, projecting a joint front against the ruling Trinamul Congress. However, the alliance failed to make a significant electoral impact, and coordination among the partners has since remained uncertain.
Meanwhile, The CPI-M state secretary Md Selim told The Statesman: “We are aware that the ISF has already forwarded a letter to the LF seeking response about the alliance and LF’s view on their possible inclusion.” The largest LF ally secretary added: “The issue is up to the sole discretion of the LF only and we are also looking forward for the outcomes of the LF meeting.”
The LF allies like the AIFB, RSP have expressed their intentions to increase their stake in the LF’s seat share. They also expressed their annoyance for sharing a substantial number of seats with the Congress.
The Congress in Bengal has also faced resistance within the alliance issue.
