Synopsis
The CPI(M) conference in West Bengal begins today at Dankuni, focusing on selecting new leadership for the 2026 Assembly elections. With a critical strategy to regain lost voter trust, the conference aims to address the party's challenges amid declining support and growing political polarization.Key Takeaways
- CPI(M)'s state conference starts today.
- Focus on leadership selection for 2026 Assembly polls.
- Address declining voter support and trust.
- Strategize against polarizing politics with Trinamool Congress and BJP.
- Analyze past election performances for future strategies.
Kolkata, Feb 22 (NationPress) The significant state conference of CPI(M) in West Bengal is set to commence at Dankuni in Hooghly district on Saturday to appoint a new leadership for the upcoming state Assembly polls in 2026.
Starting this Saturday, the 27th state conference will run until February 25, culminating in an open session where the newly formed state committee will be revealed.
Insiders from the party have indicated that this state conference is particularly vital not only due to the approaching West Bengal Assembly elections next year but also because the party has experienced a concerning trend of securing zero seats in three consecutive elections: the Lok Sabha polls in 2019 and 2024, along with the Assembly elections in 2021.
"A pressing concern is the continuous decrease in the party's vote share during these elections, resulting in the forfeiture of deposits for many party candidates. A significant factor contributing to this decline is our diminishing hold on traditional vote banks among minority groups and socially and economically disadvantaged classes. Today's state conference will focus primarily on strategies to regain their trust," stated a member from the state committee.
Additionally, party insiders noted that another critical focus will be the development of a campaign strategy to counteract the increasing trend of binary polarization in West Bengal's political landscape between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP.
According to the party's recent internal document, which assessed their electoral strategy, the CPI(M) leadership conceded that the Trinamool Congress has become the primary beneficiary of this binary polarization.
"In West Bengal, the party has battled against the Trinamool Congress and BJP for the last decade. As we move forward, the party must prioritize countering the BJP both politically and ideologically at all levels. This is crucial since secular-minded voters perceive the Trinamool Congress as a viable opposition to the BJP due to the ongoing binary politics," the internal document stated.
