In West Bengal Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has called for the formation of a Progressive Secular Democratic Front. She has said that the Congress is welcome to join the front, but the BJP is not invited. Mamata also plans to ask the CPI(M)'s partners in the ruling Left Front, like RSP, CPI and Forward Bloc to join the front.
A formal declaration of the secular front is expected by mid-December. The Congress on Thursday welcomed Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee's suggestion for formation of a secular democratic and progressive front to take on the ruling Left Front in West Bengal, but urged her to severe links with the NDA as a first step to achieve the goal.
