Kolkata, March 15 Seeking to regain political relevance in a state where it once dominated, the Congress has decided to contest the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections on its own, ending its long-standing electoral understanding with the CPI(M) and other Left Front partners.
Here's a SWOT analysis of the grand old party in West Bengal:
Strengths
Despite a poor showing in the 2021 polls, the Congress still retains influence in parts of north and central Bengal, particularly in districts such as Malda, Murshidabad, and Nadia, where the party historically enjoyed strong support. Political observers note that these regions could serve as critical bases for a gradual revival if leveraged effectively during campaigns.
Another factor working in the party's favour is its ability to attract aspirants. State Congress leaders said they have received hundreds of applications seeking tickets for the upcoming polls, which suggests that despite years of electoral setbacks, the party retains credibility and organizational appeal among political aspirants.
Opportunities
West Bengal Congress president Subhankar Sarkar said the party believes contesting independently would help revive the organization and reconnect with voters across districts.
"For many years, we have fought through alliances, but now our workers feel the party must strengthen its base under its own banner," he said.
Observers believe that voter fatigue, with the increasingly bipolar contest between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP, could provide an opportunity for the Congress to emerge as a third alternative in several constituencies.
Veteran Congress leader Pradip Bhattacharjee said the future of the party in Bengal depends on grassroots mobilization and encouraging young leaders to come forward.
Weaknesses
The Congress, which once ruled West Bengal for decades before the rise of the Left Front in the late 1970s, has struggled to regain a meaningful foothold in the state. Organisational attrition, defections, and limited resources have weakened the party's presence across several districts.
Analysts point out that decades of limited presence in rural areas and declining local networks have contributed to its diminishing political relevance.
"Our immediate focus is to strengthen the party structure at the block and district level so that we can reconnect with the grassroots," Sarkar said.
Threats
The Congress' immediate prospects of returning to power remain limited, given the dominance of the Trinamool Congress and the BJP's strong presence as the principal challenger, according to political observers.
Bhattacharjee said the task at hand is not merely electoral, but organizational.
"The Congress has a history in Bengal. The aim is to revitalize the party with fresh leadership and renewed energy," he said.
Rebuilding its organizational network, revitalizing cadres, and connecting with voters in districts where the Congress has lost relevance will be the key determinants of its success in West Bengal, analysts believe.