CPI(ML) leader slams BJP rule in Bihar, alleges suppression of dissent

CPI(ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Bihar, alleging democratic institutions were weakening, dissent was being suppressed and policies were increasingly favouring corporate interests at the cost of the poor and marginalised.

Addressing the media on the second day of the party’s state meet in Darbhanga, Bhattacharya said former chief minister Nitish Kumar once spoke about good governance, social justice and politics against communalism, but the state had now effectively been handed over to the BJP.

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He stated that a “bulldozer raj” was prevailing in Bihar, where houses of the poor were being demolished, student and youth movements were being suppressed, and dissenting voices were being silenced.

Raising serious questions overe the electoral process, he claimed that the names of lakhs of people had been removed from the voters’ list and should be restored. Instead, he alleged, there were discussions about stopping government benefits. He said nearly 45 lakh people were facing the threat of losing ration cards and other welfare facilities.

Bhattacharya further alleged that farmers’ land was being acquired and handed over to large corporate houses. According to him, government policies were anti-farmer and anti-poor, while land acquisition was being used to benefit industrialists.

The Left leader also expressed concern over rising incidents of violence against women. He said violence against women had increased after the elections and victims were not receiving justice.

Raising the issue of the NEET paper leak, he alleged that the entire system of education and competitive examinations had come under the influence of criminals. He claimed that the corrupt system, operating under BJP protection, had jeopardised the future of 22 lakh students.

Criticising the economic policies of the Central government, he said the burden of inflation and economic distress was being imposed on the poor and working classes. He alleged that public transport was being weakened, the country’s dependence on oil imports had increased, and common people were suffering. He added that protests against these policies were intensifying across the country.

Bhattacharya also alleged that the credibility of the country’s constitutional and democratic institutions was steadily declining. Referring to recent statements related to the judiciary and other institutions, he said the concerns of youth and ordinary citizens were not being taken seriously.

He said the manner in which elections were being conducted in the country posed a serious challenge to democracy. Large-scale deletion of names from voter lists, he alleged, had raised questions over the fairness of the electoral process. He further accused the government of attempting to weaken democratic rights and limit public participation.