West Bengal

IIE DIGITAL DESK : The politically charged atmosphere of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly Election 2026, cadres of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM) in the Katwa constituency have expressed relief and happiness after a significant shift in their electoral strategy this year This change comes as the party prepares to contest the Katwa seat independently, breaking away from its recent practice of alliance symbolism with the Indian National Congress coalition partner in past polls a move that has been discussed widely among party workers and political observers alike.

The heat of elections, residents of Katwa have often seen the combined political identity of the Left and Congress reflected in campaign walls with the Congress party’s hand symbol displayed alongside the hammer and sickle emblem of the CPIM This was a hallmark of the so-called “Left-Congress alliance” that aimed to consolidate votes against other dominant political forces in the state However in recent days, with the CPIM deciding to contest alone in the Katwa seat, there is a visible end to this tradition and a corresponding morale boost among rank-and-file party members .

Veteran party supporters and grassroots workers have greeted this development with optimism The sentiment inside local party units is that no longer having to paint or draw the Congress symbol on walls and banners ahead of election campaigns represents a symbolic reclaiming of their own distinct political identity Local CPIM activists have openly expressed their satisfaction to journalists that they will not have to press voters to find and press the button next to the Congress symbol on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during polling days a task that had sometimes proved awkward in areas where their own political base was weaker .

Historically, CPIM had last contested the Katwa Assembly seat on its own back in 2011 when the party’s candidate lost to a rival by a significant margin The subsequent 2016 and 2021 elections saw the Left in cooperation with the Congress and other opposition parties in attempts to consolidate anti-incumbent votes However in those contests the CPIM alliance failed to wrest the seat and in the most recent poll even trailed behind other major party candidates indicating a fragmentation of voter support and the limits of coalition politics in the region .

The decision to go it alone has stirred discussions within party circles Analysts note that while the CPIM’s organizational strength within the urban pockets of Katwa may be limited, its influence in some rural blocks remains notable With a renewed focus on grassroots campaigns and labour, agricultural and youth issues party leaders say they believe that a standalone campaign might resonate more authentically with voters who have grown weary of electoral alliances that appear tactical rather than rooted in local concerns .

Senior CPIM functionaries in the area have not yet officially announced their candidate for the Katwa seat but insiders suggest that selection will likely focus on a representative with strong ties to working-class communities and grassroots activism Speaking off the record, some senior members hinted that the absence of alliance obligations might enable the party to craft a platform rooted in its core ideology and present it directly to the electorate without dilution of message .

Despite the joy among local cadres there is awareness within the party that electoral success is far from assured Independent political analysts point out that entering the fray without traditional alliance partners could both clarify CPIM’s position to voters and risk splitting the non-incumbent vote base in a highly competitive electoral environment With powerful rivals and the political terrain rapidly shifting in West Bengal, CPIM’s strategic recalibration at Katwa may signal broader tactical choices ahead in the wider state polls .

Political watchers will be closely observing how this symbolic and substantive change impacts the CPIM’s fortunes in Katwa and whether the pride of contesting without borrowed symbols translates into tangible electoral gains The upcoming weeks are set to test whether this assertion of independent identity will energize the voters and reshape political equations in this historic constituency amidst a high-stakes election season in West Bengal