The alliance of Left parties and Congress in Bihar has been formed out of compulsion to oppose the BJP. While CPI-ML was active in the Voter Adhikar Yatra, other Left leaders maintained distance.
Bihar Politics: The relationship between Left parties and Congress in Bihar's politics has always been complex. At times, it has been characterized by friendship, and at others, by animosity. Currently, Left parties are supporting Congress out of compulsion but are not fully cooperating. Their alliance is solely due to opposition to the BJP and electoral strategy.
Participation of Left Parties in Voter Adhikar Yatra
In the recently concluded Voter Adhikar Yatra, Dipankar Bhattacharya, the General Secretary of CPI (ML), was prominently involved. In contrast, other senior leaders of CPI and CPI (M) maintained their distance. Only a few leaders were visible on the stage during the program held in Patna. Leaders from Rashtriya Janata Dal, Congress, and other allied parties were also present.
Dipankar Bhattacharya was seen alongside Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav throughout the yatra. Annie Raja, National Secretary of CPI, and M.A. Baby, General Secretary of CPI (M), only registered their presence at the final program. This indicates that the Left parties wish to maintain a balanced relationship with Congress.
The Compulsion of Left Parties
The electoral alliance of the three major Left parties with Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress in Bihar has been fully witnessed for the first time. This also includes Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP). The main objective of this alliance is to form an anti-BJP front.
Despite ideological differences and socio-economic disparities, Left parties have joined this alliance under electoral compulsion. They believe that communal forces in power under the BJP have become a threat to constitutional and democratic values. Therefore, they consider the alliance necessary from the perspective of national interest.
Perspective of CPI-ML and CPI (M)
Senior leaders of CPI-ML state that this alliance is also an opportunity to regain their lost political ground. However, they view it solely as an electoral strategy and distance themselves from issues such as corruption or other matters that may arise during the governance of Congress or RJD.
