United Left Block Forges Ahead in Bihar

United Left Block (ULB) comprising of CPI (M), CPI and CPI (ML) has decided to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections together in Bihar. CPI (M) is contesting five seats in Bihar, which include Ujiarpur, Supaul, West Champaran, Bhagalpur and Nawada.

Bourgeois-landlord political parties who have been in power in Bihar for last many decades have completely failed to solve the problems faced by the people. Agriculture is in doldrums. There has been no industrial development in the state. All infrastructure facilities including roads and railways are in shambles. There is a severe shortage of electricity in the state. Public education system, public health system and public distribution system are in deep crisis. Students have been forced to move out to seek education. Successive state governments including the present one and their faulty policies are singularly responsible for the rot that has set in the system. Rule of law has been replaced by the rule of corruption in the state.

It is in this context that for the first time left political parties have decided to come together to provide an alternative to the bourgeois-landlord political parties.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) is raising a host of issues in its election campaigns. Bihar is one state, which has most fertile lands and rivers in the country. Yet people of the state have been devastated by flood, if it rains and drought, if it there is no rain. CPI (M) stands for the scientific management of water resources in the state and top priority should be given for developing a system for draining floodwater in the catchments area. CPI (M) also stands for land reforms to smash the feudal and semi-feudal relations existing in the countryside. CPI (M) also stands for the industrial development is the state. CPI (M) also believes that serious attention is required for developing infrastructure facilities in the state. Electricity has to be given a top priority in the state. CPI (M) also stands for improving public education system, public health system and public distribution system. CPI (M) also believes in taking measures for social reforms in the state and is confident that the left will increase its strength in the state.

CPI (M) has formed party committees at constituency, blocks and panchayat levels and in the process of forming booth level committees in all constituencies. Com. S. R. Pillai, Polit Bureau Member of the CPI (M) visited all constituencies recently and addressed party cadres and sympathizers. He also talked about the issues and the political context in which the elections are taking place. In coming days campaigns will be intensified once nominations are over.

Com. Ganesh Shanakr Vidhyarthi, a party veteran of many struggles, is contesting from Nawada constituency. A freedom fighter, Com Vidhyarthi even contested the first elections held in 1952 for the state assembly. He has earlier been MLA and MLC. For the first time Com Vidhyarthi is contesting the Lok Sabha election. He is a well known political figure in the constituency.

Com. Ramdev Verma, a sitting MLA is contesting from Ujiarpur constituency. He is the group leader of CPI (M) in the state assembly. Com Verma is a fighter with good oratory and writing skills. He is very popular in the area. This is the 4th term that he is serving as the MLA of the constituency falling under this parliamentary constituency.

Com. Subodh Roy, Central Committee member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), is contesting from Bhagalpur and has represented this constituency once as MP earlier. Com Subodh Roy is a popular mass leader and has been the party’s face in the district.

Com. Balram Singh Yadav, MLC from local teacher’s constituency is contesting from Supaul parliamentary constituency. Com. Yadav is a popular leader in the area who has been steadfast in supporting farmers’ issues. He led a movement for proper compensation to farmers who were ravaged during Kosi flood.

Com Ramashray Singh, a former MLA and senior leader of the party and Kisan Sabha is contesting from West Champaran constituency. He is also the state secretariat member of the party.

There is a lot of enthusiasm among cadres and sympathizers of the left political parties. All left parties are working unitedly to ensure that left gets triumphant in the forthcoming elections.