Left unity not reflected in seat sharing: Ghosh

Kolkata, Apr 24 (UNI) Stressing on ''more unity'' among the Left Front partners, All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) State rpt State Secretary Ashok Ghosh today observed that the allies could not reach the desired consensus in respect of seat sharing for the coming Panchayat poll in West Bengal.

Addressing mediapersons here, Mr Ghosh said, '' Though the alliance partners have achieved 'political unity,' it has not been reflected totally on the seat sharing process across the 17 districts going to the poll. '' He said taking into consideration the political view point, the Front partners should make efforts to reach the ''desired consensus'' till a day before the three-tier elections begining May 11.

Referring to the possibility of fielding dummy candidates in the poll, Mr Ghosh said, '' The Forward Bloc is against fielding of such candidates and ready to withdraw the party candidate in the interest of Left unity. '' Mr Ghosh said though his party had earlier decided to contest the Panchayat poll alone, it reversed its stand and finalised to face the election within the ambit of the Left Front considering the changing national and international political scenario.

He informed that the Forward Bloc was fielding candidates for 5247 seats in the mid-May poll.

" The Panchayat poll is an acid test for the Left Front as the communal and divisive forces are raising their heads in the country and prices of essentials soaring, '' the veteran leader maintained.

UNI ADG SJC RN1826