The relationship between the Congress and the Left has been a matter of some curiosity. Over the years, it has been antagonistic for the most part, and yet it is not ipso facto off the table. When bilateral accommodation is under consideration, it is typically in a climate of acute anxiety in some quarters over the political spread of Hindu communalism that could influence electoral outcomes.
The rise of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi in the BJP, the Congress’ main challenger on the national stage, could well be driving the Left and the Congress in that direction.
A recent observation of defence minister and senior Congress leader A.K. Antony has caught national attention. He said in effect that the Congress and the Left would be adversaries in West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura in the next general election. This was rightly taken to mean that barring in these states, the prospect of mutual accommodation and post-poll tie-up could not be ruled out.
Such a scenario might worry Trinamul Congress, for if its relations with the Congress do not improve, and there is a three-way election battle in West Bengal, the Left will be the likely gainer. The Congress may not mind that, for as a future ally at the Centre the Left is not temperamental while Trinamul leader Mamata Banerjee is.