Why Congress is Now Viewing the Left as a Political Burden in Bengal

New Delhi: The relationship between the Congress and Left parties in Indian politics has never been consistent. At times, it has been shaped by ideological similarities, while at other moments it has survived purely due to political compulsion. However, recent developments indicate that Congress is gradually distancing itself from the Left, especially in West Bengal, a state that has long served as a key testing ground for their alliance.

Since 2016, Congress and Left parties have maintained an active electoral understanding in Bengal. Yet, repeated election results have shown that the alliance has failed to deliver meaningful political gains, raising serious doubts within the Congress leadership about the usefulness of continuing the partnership.

2021 Assembly Election: A Major Warning for Congress

The 2021 West Bengal Assembly election became the clearest example of this failure. Congress contested 92 seats in alliance with the Left, but the party failed to win even a single seat. Its vote share also collapsed to nearly 3 percent, reflecting not just an electoral defeat, but a deeper decline in the party’s social base, grassroots network, and organisational strength.

For the Congress leadership, the Bengal results served as a warning that staying aligned with the Left could further weaken the party’s already shrinking political presence.

Confusion Over Alliance Strategy

Congress’s repeated shifts in strategy have also highlighted internal confusion. The party fought separately from the Left in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, but again joined hands in 2024, only to see the alliance fail to generate significant momentum.

These repeated setbacks have strengthened the perception within Congress that the Left is no longer a political asset, but rather a liability.

Growing Cracks in Congress–Left Relations

In the past, leaders like Sitaram Yechury played a key role in maintaining a bridge between the two sides. But the political landscape has changed drastically. In states like Kerala, the Left and Congress are direct rivals, with the Congress-led UDF facing the Left Democratic Front in a fierce contest.

The strain became even more visible when Annie Raja contested against Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad, signalling that trust and political comfort between the two camps has eroded significantly.

Bengal Alliance Becomes Politically Uncomfortable

The alliance has become increasingly awkward in West Bengal as well. The BJP has repeatedly attacked Congress over its partnership with the Left, creating ideological discomfort for the party. At the same time, the Left itself appears unsure about the value of the alliance, given its declining relevance in Bengal politics.

Congress Aims to Rebuild Its Own Identity

By stepping away from the Left and exploring the possibility of contesting independently against Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress, Congress is attempting to project itself as a party seeking revival on its own terms.

The Congress leadership believes that the party’s traditional voter base and social support can only be rebuilt through its own identity, not by remaining in the shadow of alliances that have delivered no tangible benefits.

Left Faces a Bigger Risk

Congress’s distancing may prove costly for the Left, which is already struggling for survival in Bengal. If Congress withdraws support completely, the Left could face a deeper existential crisis in a state where it once dominated politics.

A Shift Towards New-Age Politics

This evolving situation reflects a broader change in Indian politics, where older alliances are breaking apart as parties attempt to rebuild their independent relevance. Congress’s move is not merely about breaking an alliance—it is a strategic effort to redefine its political identity, strengthen its organisation, and regain ideological clarity.

In Bengal, Congress appears to have reached the conclusion that the Left is no longer a partner for the future, but a reminder of political history.