The Crossbill News Desk
The Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] on Friday (October 3) pressed for a total of 35 seats in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections under the Mahagathbandhan alliance, urging that the seat-sharing arrangement be finalised at the earliest.
The Left parties also called for RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav to be declared the chief ministerial face without further delay, news agency PTI reported.
While the CPI has demanded 24 seats, the CPI(M) has sought 11 to contest the elections as part of the RJD-led coalition, which also includes the Congress and CPI(ML)-Liberation among others.
Addressing a press conference, CPI state secretary Ram Naresh Pandey said, "The big parties in Mahagathbandhan will have to sacrifice a few of their seats in favour of CPI and CPI(M)."
He also announced that both parties would hold joint conferences in all districts to ensure cadres “verify the authenticity of deletions in the final voters’ list released by the EC.”
CPI(M) state secretary Lalan Choudhary warned that any further delay in seat-sharing talks would be “dangerous” for both the state and the alliance.
“We are parties with reliable grassroots cadre, strong organisational capacity, and firm ideological control over our workers. Over the last five years, we have worked consistently on the ground to mobilise our cadre to remove the NDA government from power. If we contest on a greater number of seats, Mahagathbandhan will benefit,” he said.
Highlighting their performance in the 2020 assembly elections, Choudhary said the strike rate of the two parties was significant. CPI had won two of the six seats it contested, while CPI(M) secured two of the four seats it fielded candidates.
“Even in the constituencies where we did not win, the margin of defeat was narrow,” he added.
The Left leaders said they have already urged for a meeting of the coordination committee to finalise the seat-sharing arrangement.
“However, our demand has not been considered yet. So far, we have only received verbal assurances from the big parties in the Mahagathbandhan,” Pandey said.
He also underlined the financial and organisational challenges facing the Left.
“Our parties rely primarily on financial support from the poor and the marginalised sections. Therefore, we require adequate time to reach out to the people and consolidate their support,” he said.
Elections to the 243-member Bihar assembly are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
The Left parties also called for RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav to be declared the chief ministerial face without further delay, news agency PTI reported.
While the CPI has demanded 24 seats, the CPI(M) has sought 11 to contest the elections as part of the RJD-led coalition, which also includes the Congress and CPI(ML)-Liberation among others.
Addressing a press conference, CPI state secretary Ram Naresh Pandey said, "The big parties in Mahagathbandhan will have to sacrifice a few of their seats in favour of CPI and CPI(M)."
He also announced that both parties would hold joint conferences in all districts to ensure cadres “verify the authenticity of deletions in the final voters’ list released by the EC.”
CPI(M) state secretary Lalan Choudhary warned that any further delay in seat-sharing talks would be “dangerous” for both the state and the alliance.
“We are parties with reliable grassroots cadre, strong organisational capacity, and firm ideological control over our workers. Over the last five years, we have worked consistently on the ground to mobilise our cadre to remove the NDA government from power. If we contest on a greater number of seats, Mahagathbandhan will benefit,” he said.
Highlighting their performance in the 2020 assembly elections, Choudhary said the strike rate of the two parties was significant. CPI had won two of the six seats it contested, while CPI(M) secured two of the four seats it fielded candidates.
“Even in the constituencies where we did not win, the margin of defeat was narrow,” he added.
The Left leaders said they have already urged for a meeting of the coordination committee to finalise the seat-sharing arrangement.
“However, our demand has not been considered yet. So far, we have only received verbal assurances from the big parties in the Mahagathbandhan,” Pandey said.
He also underlined the financial and organisational challenges facing the Left.
“Our parties rely primarily on financial support from the poor and the marginalised sections. Therefore, we require adequate time to reach out to the people and consolidate their support,” he said.
Elections to the 243-member Bihar assembly are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
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