STRENGTH OF CPI( ML) IS ITS EQUIDISTANCE FROM ALL

Despite the Rashtriya Janata Dal sending strong signals to the CPI ( ML) to overcome political differences and form an alliance to strengthen the secular base ahead of the 2019 general elections, the leaders of the ultra- Left party seem to be in two minds.

The stand of the ultra-Left party has always been to maintain equidistance from both the Congress and the RJD.

CPI( ML) legislator Mahboob Alam said, “The party is focusing on strengthening the unity of all Left parties and alliance with any other group will be discussed after reviewing their strategy”.

The CPI( ML) enjoys a considerable amount of support in central Bihar districts. In 2015, the ultra- Left party won three seats despite a strong wave in favour of the Grand Secular Alliance.

The CPI( ML) often referred to as “Maale” in Bihar has strong pockets of support among poor and landless farmers in central and southern Bihar.

In the early 1990s, when Mr Yadav emerged as ◗ CPI( ML) had started growing its base in Bihar in 1970s and 1980s and expanded in Bhojpur, Gaya, Aurangabad, Jehanabad and other places in central Bihar and later Siwan in the north. It worked as an underground outfit in the 1980s and 1990s.

political force after forming an alliance with CPI and CPI- Marxist. The CPI( ML) was the only Left party which had stayed away from the alliance.

This was also the period when the ultra- Left party was involved in a violent conflict with upper caste outfits, including Ranvir Sena, which led to several massacres.

In the late 1970s and 1980s, the CPI( ML) expanded in Bhojpur, Gaya, Aurangabad, Jehanabad and other places in central Bihar and later Siwan in the north. It worked as an underground outfit in the 1980s and 1990s. Later, it emerged as an active political outfit.