And if one sees the writing on the wall, their “unholy” alliance as the CPM calls it, is set to continue this time too.

For the last 15 years, no party has got an absolute majority in the 25-member Ingrejbajaar Municipality and the Congress, which scrupulously maintains a safe distance from the “communal BJP”, has no qualms in tying up with the party in Malda.

In 2005, while the Left Front got 11 seats, the Trinamool got eight and the Congress five. With the help of the lone BJP councillor Amlan Bhaduri, who was later made a Chairman-in-council, the Congress and the Trinamool formed the Board.

Later, the BJP bagged another seat by winning a bye-election.

“The BJP will definitely increase its tally by at least two to three seats and this time too, we will have to take their support,” said Dulal Sarkar, municipality vice-chairman and Trinamool Congress leader, adding no party will get an absolute majority.

BJP’s Amlan Bhaduri agrees. “We cannot be ignored. We will get at least four-five seats and will be at the driver’s seat.”

In 2000, the BJP had fielded 12 candidates and won four seats. This time, it has fielded candidates in 18 seats.

In 1995, the Congress gained control of the municipal board with the BJP’s support.

But the alliance has not stopped the friendly fire. “Had A B A Ghani Khan Choudhury been alive, he would have given the Congress flag to Mamata Banerjee,” Trinamool’s Partha Chatterjee said here during a rally.

Meanwhile, local Congress leaders are confident the party will form the Board this time. “Krishnendu Narayan Choudhury, (Congress MLA and former Ingrejbajaar Municipality chairman) was with the Trinamool in 2005 and that is why they got eight seats. He has done so many things for Malda and people will vote for him only,” a Congress leader said. “People know who to vote for. We are confident we will form the Board,” said Choudhury.