The CPI’s not ruling out an alliance with the JD(U) before the 2014 lok Sabha elections may be an indication of a new political equation in Bihar. This is, of course, provided the latter does not tie up with the Congress.
CPI general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy and his predecessor AB Bardhan told mediapersons in Patna on Monday that it was too early to speak about any pre-poll alliance. “I do not want to say anything on the probability of the CPI’s alliance with the JD(U) at this stage,” Bardhan said.
Any decision would be taken in consultation with other left parties, like the CPM, Forward Bloc and SUCI, he added. The quartet is chalking out a common programme for the campaigning in the State.
The veteran said the BJP managed to improve its tally from 52 to 92 MlAs in the Assembly by piggybacking on the JD(U)’s support base. He added that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s step of breaking ties with the BJP was welcome.
Four Congress members and a lone CPI member had voted for the confidence motion moved by Kumar in June. After the party supported his confidence motion, Kumar had thanked it, recollecting how strong CPI was in the State politics.
The Congress too has not cleared the air on any alliances, though it has been making obvious overtures towards the Bihar CM. nonetheless, the political situation in the State remains fluid.
CPI leaders, on the other hand, said they were working hard to provide a non-UPA and non-NDA Government at the Centre, with the help of the regional parties.
The left will forge alliance on the bases of programmes and policies. A broader partnership among left and regional parties could also come into existence both before and after the elections.
If the CPI does tie up with the JD(U) before the lok Sabha elections, it will not be the first time Kumar will formulate an electoral strategy with leaders of a left party. The Samata Party, an offshoot of Janata Dal, had contested the 1995 Assembly elections in partnership with the CPI(Ml). Samata Party was floated by George Fernandes and Kumar in 1994.