KOLKATA 9 FEB: The talks of an alliance of a secular front led by Indian Secular Front (ISF) leader Furfura Sharif cleric Abbas Siddiqui is facing some trouble in forming an alliance with the Congress and CPI(M). Mainly, as the two parties have given ISF condition that if their party ties with All India Majis-e Ittehad-ul-Msulimeen (AIMIM). Then, they would not ally with his party.
As a result, a secular front which can be an alternative to TMC and BJP has hit rough weather now.
According to Siddiqui, AIMIM first approached them with the proposal for forming an alliance with us. Also, Congress and CPI(M) cannot tell us who we can have as an ally as long they do not have constructive talks on whether they are aligning with us or not.
Siddiqui said, “Both Congress and CPI(M) are dying parties. And we want to give some oxygen to the parties. But, if they do not want that we will look for other options.”
Siddiqui writes letter to CPI(M) and Abdul Manna writes letter to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi
It may be worth mentioning that a few weeks back Siddiqui wrote a letter to the Left Front chairman Biman Bose. Mainly, seeking 44 seats for ISF. Even, senior Congress leader Abdul Mannan wrote to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on February 4. Especially, seeking permission to hold alliance talks with ISF.
In his letter, Mannan also mentioned that ISF is a ‘threat for all secular parties’ which has created resentment inside the party.
CPI(M) Reacts
Sujan Chakraborty, CPI(M) leader, said, “We have already told Siddiqui that AIMIM is in the picture. We cannot have an understanding of seat-sharing with them.”
However, political analysts are of the opinion that the swing in Muslim votes can influence the poll results in as many as 120 Assembly seats.
Imankalyan Lahiri, a senior political analyst, and Professor of International Relations JU said “As the swing in Muslim votes plays an important role in the politics of Bengal, Congress, CPI(M) is looking for options. So, they have started preliminary talks with secular parties to see whether they can form an alliance with them.”
It may be mentioned that Muslims have been key to Mamata Banerjee’s victory in 2011 and 2016. But, Siddiqui accuses the chief minister of deceiving the community. He claims her ‘appeasement policies’ have harmed the Hindu-Muslim brotherhood and allowed the BJP to strengthen its presence in Bengal.