CPI-ML, CPM promise land & labour reforms

PATNA: Scoring a point over BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and RJD-JD(U)-Congress Mahagathbandhan, the two major constituents of the six-party Left Bloc – CPI (M) and CPI (ML-Liberation) -- promised land, labour, agriculture and electoral reforms.
Releasing their manifestoes on Wednesday for the state assembly polls, they also promised better education and health facilities besides affordable power for all and claimed that a “resurgent Left will win significant number of seats” this time.
Releasing the manifesto, which the party has named ‘ML’s appeal to voters in Bihar’, ML general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya blamed both central and state governments for Bihar’s backwardness. The united Left Front had released its 21-point alternative agenda of pro-people development at their joint convention on September 7. The ML has adopted that agenda in its manifesto.
“We are focussing on current issues facing Bihar whereas other parties are either singing paeans for the future or raking up skeletons from the past,” Bhattacharya said, adding the Left bloc will fight for the rights of the weaker and oppressed sections of the society and deliver justice to them.
Bhattacharya alleged that many parties were using money power to influence voters in this election. “While the Left can’t boast of money power, we definitely have adequate manpower and will match their notes with our sweat and blood,” he said. ML has already announced 91 candidates in its three lists and six more will be named shortly.
CPM’s 16-page manifesto, which was released by the party’s state secretary Awadhesh Kumar, is in two-parts – the first highlights the regime of other parties and the second informs people about CPM’s agenda for this election.
“It is historic that six Left parties have come together with an alternative agenda and we will make a comeback in Bihar in a significant manner,” Kumar said.
Kumar said land and agriculture reforms were on top of the CPM agenda. “We will also work for implementing food security for all, fixing Rs 15,000 as minimum wages for contract workers in unorganized sectors, 33% reservation for women in lawmaking bodies and corruption-free governance,” he said.
CPM has already named 33 candidates and waiting for central committee approval for 10 more, as the party will contest for 43 seats. CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury and other senior party leaders, including Prakash Karat and Brinda Karat, are scheduled to visit the state in the next few days to stump for the Left party candidates.