AIFB to fight to oust BJP, keeps all post-poll options open

The All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) Monday said it would leave no stones unturned to ensure the defeat of the BJP government at the Centre in the next election and has decided to keep "all post-poll options" open to achieve that objective.

The AIFB has taken up the resolutions at its 18th Party Congress organised here between December 12 and 16.

"Our main objective will be to oust the anti-people (Narendra) Modi government. We will fight to strengthen the Left unity in the country," AIFB general secretary Debabrata Biswas told a press conference.

The party Congress has decided to develop a political platform against fascism, communalism, corruption and all sort of divisive political tendencies," Biswas said.

 

When asked whether the AIFB is open to a situation like 2004, when Left parties decided to provide outside support to the Congress to keep the BJP at bay, Biswas said, "None can say what situation will evolve after elections. But we are open to all options as our main aim is to oust the BJP from power."

He however did not name the Congress.

The Left parties in 2004 had decided to support the Congress led UPA-1, to ensure that BJP remains out of power. The Left Front, however, withdrew support from the UPA-1 in 2008 following differences over the Indo-US nuclear deal.

Biswas said the party is of the opinion that in areas or states where Left has a presence such as West Bengal, it would strive to strengthen the Left unity.

The AIFB, a constituent of CPI(M)-led Left Front in West Bengal, has been a bitter critic of CPI(M) over its decision to ally with the Congress in 2106 to oust the ruling Trinamool Congress regime.

The Congress and the Left Front had forged an alliance in Bengal during the 2016 assembly polls to fight against the TMC in the state. The alliance had bagged 76 seats. Although the coalition failed to oust the Mamata Banerjee-led party, the Congress managed to win 44 seats.

"Did this alliance with Congress in 2016 serve any purpose? The Congress became the main opposition party in the state. We should fight to strengthen our unity first," he said.