Patna: The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation [CPI(ML)] on Sunday staged a massive ‘Badlo Bihar’ rally at Patna’s historic Gandhi Maidan, drawing thousands of participants, including a large number of scheme workers. The rally, positioned as a show of strength ahead of the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, comes as CPI(ML) bolsters its presence within the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), alongside the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), following a strong performance in the Lok Sabha elections.
Addressing the gathering, CPI(ML) national general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya declared the event as the beginning of a political transformation in Bihar. Citing a recent survey, he claimed that “50% of the people believe the Bihar government is ineffective and should be changed.” Bhattacharya accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to replicate its power grab strategies in Maharashtra and Delhi in Bihar, asserting, “The way BJP was wiped out in Dhanbad and Bokaro, it will be wiped out in Bihar too.”
Resolutions Passed at the ‘Badlo Bihar’ Rally
During the rally, CPI(ML) leaders put forward five key resolutions:
- Call for Political Change – The party vowed to remove the BJP-JD(U) government in Bihar and ensure that public issues become central to the assembly election discourse.
- Historical Legacy of Resistance – Leaders linked the movement to Bihar’s history of socialist and communist uprisings, from the 1857 revolt to the anti-zamindari movements, stating that the current struggle would set a new direction for the nation.
- Constitutional Protection – The party pledged to defend the Constitution drafted by B.R. Ambedkar and work towards an egalitarian society where dignity, rights, and equal opportunities are assured for all.
- Criticism of Modi Government on Diaspora Issues – CPI(ML) condemned the silence of the Narendra Modi-led government over alleged mistreatment of the Indian diaspora in the United States, calling it an attack on India’s economic interests and sovereignty. The party demanded the safe return of affected expatriates.
- Justice for Marginalised Communities – The party accused the government of failing Dalit women and citizens facing police repression, vowing that voters would take electoral revenge against the ruling dispensation.
Leaders Rally Against JD(U)-BJP Rule
CPI(ML) MLAs, including Mehboob Alam, alongside senior party leaders, criticized the NDA government’s two-decade rule in Bihar, accusing it of betraying public trust. “People feel cheated under the BJP-JD(U) regime,” they stated, highlighting grievances over smart electricity meters and land surveys.
The rally saw participation from over 20 organisations, including the Asha Workers Union, State Livelihood Cadre Union, Contract Honorarium Service Workers, Cooks Union, Anganwadi Workers Union, Vikas Mitra, and Tola Sevak Sangh, among others. CPI(ML) leaders described the event as a launchpad for a new phase in Bihar’s political landscape, asserting that grassroots mobilisation would play a crucial role in challenging the ruling alliance in the forthcoming assembly elections.
