Bloc General Secretary Ashok Ghosh announced the decision at the AIFB headquarters. The party, which has backtracked from its “akla cholo” stance, cited “recent political developments” and the need for Left Front unity for its change in position.

Ghosh said: “We demanded that a committee for co-ordination be set up in the Left Front during panchayat elections. During our meeting with CPM leaders on March 21, we got an assurance that this would happen. Moreover, Left Front has to be united in order to take on both the BJP and the Congress who are growing in strength. Recent political developments also contributed to us taking this decision.”

He, however, defended the party’s “akla cholo” stance. “The decision to contest the panchayat polls alone was not wrong. It was taken after our state council meeting in Bolpur in November at the backdrop of certain political developments. The decision to go with the CPM was the result of a recent set of political developments,” Ghosh said.

“We will continue our criticism of the CPM and the state government, but it will be friendly and constructive,” said a senior Bloc leader.

Left Front Chairman Biman Bose said: “I am happy. We can now go ahead with our preparations for the panchayat polls.”