The battle for Bengal is heating up with the TMC and the BJP going head-to-head in an no-holds-barred fight against each other. The stakes are high. Not to be left behind, the Congress-Left alliance also decided to make its presence known with a massive rally in Kolkata's Brigade Parade Ground on Sunday.

Joining the Congress-Left combine on stage was new ally and the latest entrant in Bengal politics -- the Indian Secular Front (ISF).

With the Election Commission announcing dates for the soon-to-be-held Bengal assembly elections, the dynamics of the alliance are the centre of massive speculations. With almost a month left for the Bengal polls, the Left, Congress and ISF have still not publicly declared their seat-sharing arrangement.

Hence, the ISF- led by Pirzada Abbas Siddiqui of Furfura Sharif held a meeting with the state unit of Congress on Sunday, seeking clarity over the seat-sharing deal.

As per Abbas Siddiqui's claim, the Left Front has agreed to his demand of alloting 30 seats to his party. Speaking at the Sunday rally, the ISF leader stated that he was not begging for seats but demanding his right.

"The Left has agreed to give us 30 seats, as we decided. We are speaking for our rights but not begging for it," said Abbas Siddiqui.

Speaking exclusively with media after the meeting, Siddiqui said that he did not want the votes to be divided but had asked for clarity from Congress.

"Don't want the vote to be divided. Have asked Congress for clarity, if they want an alliance. With Left, our alliance is on. We are still speaking with [AIMIM chief Asaduddin] Owaisi, once it's done, we will speak about it," Abbas Siddiqui said.

(With inputs from agencies)