CPI(M), Congress yet to decide on alliance for upcoming Panchayat elections in Tripura

Agartala (Tripura) [India], May 26 : The CPI(M) and the Congress, partners in the INDIA bloc, have not yet finalised whether they would continue their alliance for the Panchayat polls expected to be held in Tripura in August. But both parties are currently preparing independently, indicating readiness to face the elections regardless of the alliance decision.
CPI(M) state secretary and Leader of Opposition, Jitendra Choudhury emphasized while talking to ANI in Agartala that the party is actively preparing to contest the elections across the state. "All our branches are actively working, and we are gearing up for the elections," Choudhury stated.
Meanwhile, Tripura Pradesh Congress president Asish Saha is working vigorously to strengthen the party's organizational structure. Saha has been touring the state's sixty organizational districts and is set to introduce new programs in the next phase of his campaign.
Despite the ongoing preparations, both leaders have not dismissed the possibility of maintaining the alliance.
However, the potential partnership faces significant challenges. The CPI(M) views the upcoming elections as an opportunity to rejuvenate its organization in various regions.
Sources indicate that the CPI(M) is inclined to continue the alliance but may offer the Congress only a limited number of seats, reflecting the latter's weakened organizational position.
The Congress, under Saha's leadership, is grappling with internal factionalism, which further complicates the alliance prospects.
Saha's faction is not receiving robust support from all quarters within the party. Conversely, veteran Congress leader Birajit Sinha is determined to maintain control over his strongholds. In the previous election, Sinha successfully retained most of the Panchayats in his area, defeating both the BJP and CPI(M). Confident of a similar outcome this time, Sinha may resist sharing seats with the CPI(M).
The final decision on the alliance remains pending, as both parties continue their individual preparations. The outcome of their discussions will significantly shape the electoral landscape in Tripura, potentially influencing the balance of power in the forthcoming Panchayat elections.
As the election date approaches, the political scenario in Tripura remains dynamic, with both the CPI(M) and Congress strategizing to maximize their electoral gains, either as allies or adversaries.