• Source:JND
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Bengal Polls: With just a few days remaining in the West Bengal Assembly election, all the leading parties have intensified their campaigns. Along with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and BJP, this election is also crucial for the left forces, led by the CPI(M). While the alliance governed the eastern state for over three decades without any major interruption, it has lost relevance in the past few elections. In their campaign, the left forces have raised the issue of inflation and joblessness, trying to attract the middle-class.

Historic Decline Of Left

While the left alliance lost to the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC in the 2011 Assembly polls, it still managed to retain over 40 per cent of the vote. However, the left forces witnessed major setback in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls when it could just win 26 per cent vote. The situation worsened in the next 2016 Assembly polls when its vote share remained at 21 per cent; however, it contested the polls in alliance with the Congress.

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However, it significantly lost its relevance in the 2021 Assembly elections when it could register victory on a single seat and its vote share remained at 5 per cent. It further failed to appeal the voters in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Challenges For Left

- Weaker organisation in comparison to the TMC and BJP
- Lack of prominent leaders. Even leaders like state secretary Mohammed Salim do not enjoy mass popularity across the state
- Shift in voters interests- The trend suggests that the priority of voters has changed from ideological identity to the welfare schemes
- The left is accused of poor governance during their tenure

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- The youth is not associating itself with the left parties like they did decades back, leading to shortage of the young cadre
- The political space is largely divided between the TMC and BJP, leaving a little space for any third party
- Entry of parties like AIMIM has divided the votes


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