As West Bengal gears up for the 2026 Assembly elections, the Congress party finds itself in a dilemma over its electoral strategy. With Trinamool Congress (TMC) ruling out any alliance, the grand old party is left weighing its options—either forging a seat-sharing pact with the Left Front or contesting independently. However, internal divisions within the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) have complicated decision-making, leaving the party leadership in a bind.

A faction within the Congress argues against aligning with any party, especially the CPI(M)-led Left Front. Their primary contention is that the 2009 and 2011 alliances with the TMC only served to weaken Congress, as the ruling party systematically poached its leaders and cadre. They believe that the subsequent seat-sharing arrangement with the Left, starting from the 2016 Assembly polls and continuing through the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, further eroded Congress’ independent identity. Rather than strengthening its grassroots presence, this group argues, the party has become overly reliant on the Left Front, which has failed to regain lost political ground in Bengal.

On the other hand, a contrasting viewpoint within the state Congress leadership suggests that contesting solo would be politically suicidal. Given the party’s diminishing organisational strength in West Bengal, these leaders feel that an alliance with the Left Front is the only viable way to remain relevant in state politics. With both Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee making it clear that the Congress has no place in their plans for 2026, a partnership with the Left seems like the last remaining option for survival.

However, the final decision does not rest solely with the state unit. The Congress high command in Delhi is reluctant to impose a top-down directive, preferring instead to assess the mood of its state leaders and grassroots workers before making a call. A delegation from the All India Congress Committee (AICC), possibly led by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, is expected to visit West Bengal in June or July this year. Their interactions with local leaders and workers will be crucial in shaping Congress’ electoral strategy.

Meanwhile, the CPI(M) is also reassessing its approach. The party’s draft political resolution for its 24th Congress in Madurai this April stresses an independent political line rather than electoral alliances. It calls for strengthening mass mobilisation and rebuilding the party in West Bengal and Tripura, where the Left has significantly weakened over the years. The CPI(M) leadership remains wary of electoral tie-ups that might dilute its ideological stance or hinder its long-term revival.

The draft resolution subtly acknowledges the challenges in West Bengal, emphasizing that while the CPI(M) will continue its ideological battle against both the BJP and TMC, it must also focus on strengthening its own base, particularly among the rural poor. This hints at a cautious approach toward Congress, making it uncertain whether the Left will be willing to commit to another seat-sharing arrangement.

As both Congress and the Left navigate their internal challenges, the road to 2026 remains unclear. If Congress chooses to go solo, it risks political irrelevance in a state where the BJP and TMC dominate the electoral landscape. If it aligns with the Left, questions remain about whether such a coalition can pose a credible challenge to the ruling party.