The Communist Party of India (Marxist) will not be a part of any joint opposition grand-alliance or Mahagatbandhan for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, party General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said on Tuesday.

 “The CPM is not part of any Mahagatbandhan of Opposition parties that was formed keeping in mind the 2019 general election. Our party’s political-tactical line does not allow us to join hands for polls. That is why we skipped the rally in Patna,” Yechury said according to the Telegraph.

“The question is being raised that the CPI(M) did not take part in Lalu’s rally, but is attending Sharad Yadav’s meet on composite culture. The ‘save composite culture’ movement has got nothing to do with electoral alliances or adjustments. Saving the composite culture is a larger issue,” Yechury told the PTI.

These comments are significant as they come after RJD’s “BJP Bhagao, Desh Bachao” rally in Patna on Sunday August 27, which was attended by opposition leaders from across political spectrum. Attendees at the rally included Ghulam Nabi Azad, Akhilesh Yadav, Mamata Banerjee, Sharad Yadav, D Raja, Hemant Soren, Tariq Anwar among other opposition party leaders.

The CPI(M) had not participated in the rally, due to the presence of its arch rival and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, according to the Wire.

The CPI (M) has been loosing electoral contests and faces existential challenges after continued loss in Vidhan Sabha and Municipal Polls in West Bengal, a state which the party ruled for more than three decades till 2011. The party’s Central Committee’s decision to not seek a third Rajya Sabha term for Sitaram Yechurry has also been a divisive issue within the party.