The PDS was founded in February 2001 by former Communist Party of India (Marxist) leaders Saifuddin Choudhury and Samir Putatundu.

[2] The PDS was in opposition to the Left Front government in West Bengal.

[4] Initially there was speculation that the PDS would joint with the All India Trinamool Congress, or else that it would be a constituent of an anti-CPI(M) mahajot (broad front), but the link between Trinamool and the Hindu rightist Bharatiya Janata Party hindered such a development.

PDS participates in the Confederation of Indian Communists and Democratic Socialists.

[1] Ahead of the West Bengal state assembly elections in 2001, the PDS had launched their own front.