Raiganj and Murshidabad seem to have emerged as two bones of contention hindering the alliance talks between the CPI(M) and Congress in Bengal. Enjoying a sizeable presence in these two Lok Sabha constituencies, both the parties have refused to budge, sources said.
While CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Wednesday said his party had already made its position clear on the issue, the Pradesh Congress leaders led by PCC president Somen Mitra are known to have expressed their “final view” about the two seats to party president Rahul Gandhi. The PCC leaders met the Congress president on Wednesday.
Gandhi is known to have told them that he would talk to Yechury on this issue. The seats are currently held by CPI(M) MPs Md Salim and Badruddoza Zaman. The Congress holds Malda North and South, Behrampore and Jangipur.