As West Bengal heads for parliamentary elections from March to April 2026, the Chief of India’s Secular Entrance (ISF) and its solely MLA, Naushad Siddiqui, 32, not too long ago despatched a letter to CPI(M). Veteran and left entrance president Biman Bose are calling for an alliance with the left and “early negotiations for seat sharing” for polls.
The management of the CPI(M) was not reluctant to resume the alliance, however confirmed that Naushad’s proposal can be rigorously thought of. Already there’s a risk of the left, Congress is as soon as once more becoming a member of palms for future elections.
The ISF was based by Piazada Addiki, a priest who’s a brother and brother of Naushad, previous to the 2021 Bengal Congress ballot. Naushad joined the ISF as chairman.
The ISF debuted within the 2021 parliamentary elections and is competing in an alliance between the Left Entrance and the Congress. The left and parliament have been unable to open an account, however the ISF bagged one seat with Naushad from the Muslim-controlled Bangarh constituency within the 24 South Parganas district close to Kolkata.
Simply 4 years later, the ISF has expanded its footprint in some districts and has sharply marked its state politics.
Within the 2023 three-tier panchayat election, he was kicked out to the dominant Trinamoll Convention (TMC), led by Prime Minister Mamata Banerjee. There, the alliance of left lawmakers understood it was the ISF. One Zila Parishad seat.
In a ballot of the violent Panchayat, the ISF labored properly within the Pargana, Haura and Malda districts, 24 north and south. The social gathering additionally gained seats within the Hooley, East Midnapole, Nadia and Mercidabad districts.
On the Bhangar base, the ISF gained 43 seats regardless of seeing main clashes between the ISF and TMC activists all through the Panchayat polls. Their conflict started whereas submitting nomination paperwork that claimed the lives of three. The violence was raged within the belt even on the depend date (July 11, 2023), which killed three younger individuals, together with two ISF supporters.
The ISF minimize ties with the coalition of left lawmakers on the eve of the 2024 Lok Sabha election, defending the candidates with a number of essential seats towards the CPI(M) and the Congress. Of those, solely Congress may win one seat, with TMC profitable 29 seats towards 12 of the state’s 42 seats.
Within the Lok Sabha election, in some segments similar to Barasat and Srirampore, the ISF gained a big vote. A senior ISF chief mentioned, “We experimented with going solo within the Loksaba election to measure particular person power in numerous elements of Bengal. This may assist us negotiate with potential alliance companions for the 2026 parliamentary vote.”
Furfura Sharif Shrine, positioned within the Srirampore subdivision of the Hooghly district, has many followers in Bengal. This can be a Muslim inhabitants of about 30%, of which greater than 50% are Bengali-speaking Muslims. The ISF assist base is claimed to be primarily a part of Bengali-speaking Muslims.
The Siddiqui brothers additionally belong to politicians. Their uncle Toha Siddiki had a detailed relationship with the TMC. The brothers have pledged to struggle for poor Muslims, Dalits and Adivasis by launching the ISF as a celebration towards each the TMC and the BJP, and reviving grassroots unity amongst these teams within the state.
Whereas launching the ISF, Abbas Siddiki mentioned, “In Bengal, following the yr of parliamentary administration, the principles of CPI(M) adopted, after which the Trinamool Congress did nothing for Muslims and the poor.”
The ISF chief mentioned, “In efforts to cease the BJP, our social gathering is prepared for a pre-or-pole alliance with non-BJP events. Nonetheless, the TMC should first apologise for ignoring the Muslim group in Bengal.
An ISF insider mentioned, “Our foremost power is the favored non secular outreach in minority-controlled areas in South Bengal. Additionally, Naushad Siddiki’s recognition as a younger chief has helped develop the statewide.
