New Delhi: For the Left, their most important battle is in Kerala, as the CPM-led LDF fights to return to power in the last communist-ruled state, where elections are due along with West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Puducherry. In Bengal – where it was once a major force and now has no presence in terms of MLAs and MPs in the state – it is making efforts for revival. And in Tamil Nadu, she is fighting to ensure the return of the DMK-led alliance, of which CPM and CPI are part. Left parties, including CPI(ML), are also gearing up to fight against the BJP as part of the Congress-led alliance in Assam. They will focus on reaching out to the working class, Dalits and other backward classes in all the electoral states.

General secretaries of CPM and CPI(ML) Liberation, MA Baby and Dipankar Bhattacharya, respectively, highlighted that the aim is to expand the Left’s footprint, weaken the BJP where it is in power and ensure that the BJP does not become strong in opposition-ruled states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Emphasizing on the reach of the Left, CPI’s D Raja said the BJP has been exposed for its failures on economy, job creation, inflation and foreign policy. Baby admitted that while there is a “tough fight” in Kerala, “We are confident that people will see what the LDF government has done and will not be influenced by the narratives of the UDF and the BJP. We are also going to the people and are ready for criticism to understand their concerns and address them.” With the revived UDF stepping up its attack on the two-term CPM-led government in Kerala and the BJP seemingly gaining ground, the assembly elections in the state will be a crucial test for the Left parties. The defeat will put a big question mark on the relevance of the Left in the Indian faction at the national level. Meanwhile, in a bid to bring about a resurgence in West Bengal and establish its presence as a third force in the contest, the Left Front is going into the elections as a broad alliance, with the CPI(ML) – unlike the previous assembly elections – and some non-Left players as well.