Ranchi, March 15 CPI national general secretary D Raja asserted on Sunday that the Left is confident of a revival in West Bengal in the upcoming assembly elections, and it will emerge as a force to be reckoned with that will shape the political discourse of the state.
Raja's statement came hours before the Election Commission announced the dates for elections in four states and one Union territory.
"Everyone knows that West Bengal will be a very tough fight. But the Left is very confident. The Left will see a revival and will emerge as a force to be reckoned with that will shape the political discourse of the state," Raja told reporters at Ranchi's Birsa Munda Airport.
The CPI leader arrived in Ranchi to participate in the party's centenary celebrations here. He said that the situation is varied in the states going to the polls.
"In Kerala, we are part of the Left Democratic Front (LDF). There are no issues on that front. The LDF stands a good chance of returning to power for a third term. In Tamil Nadu, discussions are currently underway with the DMK coalition regarding seat-sharing arrangements. Everything will be clear in a day or two," Raja added.
The Election Commission announced dates for assembly polls in Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal and Puducherry on Sunday evening.
"Our prime focus is to stop the BJP from coming to power in these states," Raja added. The CPI leader also accused the BJP government at the Centre for the supply constraint of LPG cylinders.
Later, addressing the party's centenary celebration in Ranchi, Raja stated that the party has been engaged in a continuous struggle throughout its 100-year history.
"We do not exist merely for the sake of elections, rather, we stand for mass struggles aimed at addressing the people's pressing issues. Even today in Jharkhand, the battle for 'Jal, Jangal, aur Zameen' (water, forests, and land) remains unfinished, and the Communist Party will bring this struggle to its completion," he said.
Former minister and farmer leader Shivkumar Mukherjee said that the farmers of the country are currently passing through a period of crisis.
"Chaos prevails across the world in the name of war. Innocent people are being killed, and a battle for capital is underway," he said.