CPI(M) West Bengal state secretary Md Salim has stressed the need to strengthen the party and unite Leftist forces in the state to safeguard the interests of the people.

Speaking at a press conference in Dankuni on the sidelines of the party’s ongoing four-day state conference, Salim—who is also a member of the CPI(M) Polit Bureau—asserted that all anti-Trinamool Congress (TMC) and anti-BJP forces must come together to challenge both parties.

"To safeguard Bengal’s future, we must first strengthen the CPI(M), then build broader Left unity, and finally bring together all anti-TMC and anti-BJP forces to intensify the fight. This is our strategy," the Marxist leader said.

Accusing the TMC and BJP of attempting to divide Bengal’s people along religious lines, stating, "We used to say earlier that it was competitive communalism; now, we can safely say that it is complementary communalism."

Salim highlighted that the conference discussions focused on the political challenges in the state, people’s pressing issues, unemployment, and the condition of education.

Meanwhile, speculation is rife over whether Salim will continue as the state secretary or be assigned a larger role at the central level in New Delhi.

While the CPI(M) central leadership is reportedly keen on his elevation, a section of the state leadership is said to be resisting the move. The final decision is expected to emerge from internal deliberations as the conference progresses.