Kolkata, May 19 (IANS) After a crushing defeat at the hands of the ruling Trinamool Congress in the West Bengal assembly polls, Left Front partner RSP on Thursday accused a section of leaders of front spearhead CPI-M of "crossing the limit" by backing Congress candidates in some seats despite the presence of LF nominees.
"A section of the leaders of the CPI-M thought they had found a new friend. They thought they will defeat the Trinamool by supporting the Congress even though parties like us were also in fray," RSP state secretary Kshiti Goswami told IANS.
Goswami's ire was apparently with regard to nine seats, where his Revolutionary Socialist Party and Congress had both fielded nominees.
A section of Communist Party of India-Marxist leaders, mainly at the local level, had shown their reluctance in a number of these constituencies to side with the RSP, and openly campaigned for Congress aspirants.
"Yes, we have suffered because of this. We have heavily suffered," said Goswami.
The RSP finished with only three seats in the polls this time - its numbers more than halved from the tally of seven it won five years back.
"A section of CPI-M and Congress leaders had become too cosy. We had told the Left Front chairman Biman Bose that some of their leaders had crossed the limit. We had apprised him how despite the presence of LF candidates they were warming up to the Congress,
"He understood midway what was happening. He was disturbed. But as voting had already started, he could not do anything.
"People did not accept these misguided strategies adopted by these leaders. Majority of the people did not accept the alliance," said Goswami adding his party would raise this issue in LF forums.
Asked about the causes of the huge defeat, he said: "We have to sit and analyse. We have to find out why people rejected us. But first of all, we need to bow our head to the people's verdict."
However, he said the Left Front would remain intact and carry on its struggles for the benefit of the people.
"A loss in an election cannot eradicate Left from public's mind," said Goswami.
