Congress Alliance in West Bengal: State Unit to Decide, Says K.C. Venugopal
KOLKATA: Senior Congress leader K.C. Venugopal made it clear on Thursday that the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) will take the lead on deciding any alliance partners for the state. As the Lok Sabha MP from Alappuzha, Venugopal shared these thoughts after leading a key meeting with state Congress leaders.
He told reporters that the party’s high command will have the final say on any West Bengal alliance. When asked if the state unit would stick with its ongoing tie-up with the CPI(M)-led Left Front, Venugopal kept it straightforward. "These decisions rest with the Pradesh Congress Committee," he said. "Each state gets the freedom to talk about alliances and the local political scene. They’ll discuss the situation in West Bengal and suggest options to the high command, who will then make the call."
Venugopal also pointed out that it’s way too early to lock in political alliances across states. "Right now isn’t the time for that," he added. "Congress stands strong for our ideology nationwide. We’re battling to protect the Constitution of India, and the same fight goes on here in West Bengal."
The meeting aimed to boost the WBPCC’s efforts and strengthen its organization ahead of future challenges. Just last month, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge greenlit the setup of the Political Affairs Committee, Pradesh Election Committee, and Executive Committee for the WBPCC. The party also named new office-bearers and district presidents to get things moving.
These steps carry big weight as the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections approach. There’s growing buzz about potential shifts in alliances, especially with signs that top Congress figures like Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi are warming up to the Trinamool Congress (TMC). State leaders remain unsure: Should they keep the seat-sharing deal with the Left Front, which has been in place since 2016, or pivot to a fresh partnership with TMC for the polls?
West Bengal Congress chief Subhankar Sarkar echoed this, stressing that the All India Congress Committee (AICC) holds the ultimate power on alliances, whether at the national or state level. As discussions heat up, all eyes are on how Congress navigates this tricky political landscape in West Bengal.
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