Bihar: CPI(ML)’s 11th Party Conference Calls for United Opposition to Defeat BJP in 2024

Patna: Need for strong and united opposition to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and oust the Narendra Modi-led central government in the 2024 general elections dominated the convention called by the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation [CPI(ML)] as part of their 11th Party Conference in Patna on Saturday. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav urged Congress top leadership to take an initiative soon in this direction in the presence of senior Congress leader and former union minister Salman Khurshid.

Janata Dal (United) JD-U national president Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh and CPI-ML party general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya also attended the convention and backed Kumar’s views about opposition unity to get rid of the BJP. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader and current Chief Minister Hemant Soren has sent his message to the convention as he failed to attend due to the oath-taking ceremony of the Governor in Ranchi today.

“I have been trying for the unity of opposition parties, this is the only option to take on BJP and to defeat it. If the opposition unites and contests unitedly, I am sure BJP will be reduced to 100 seats in the next Lok Sabha polls. Only a united opposition can stop BJP. Congress must come forward without delay to unite the opposition. We are waiting for this move by Congress,” Kumar with the folded hand said while addressing the CPI(ML)’s  ‘Save Constitution, Save Democracy, Save India' convention here.

Kumar, who is considered as de facto chief of JD-U, said Congress president Sonia Gandhi should take initiative for opposition unity. Several opposition parties are ready to unite to defeat BJP. “I, personally, do not want anything. I want opposition unity for the sake of the country. It is now for Congress to decide and take an initiative,” he said.

Kumar recalled that last year he visited Delhi twice to talk to leaders of the opposition including Congress in connection with opposition unity. He claimed that they are united in Bihar under Mahagathbandhan.

Kumar said that the current regime (Modi government) is working in its own interest, and to fight against this, seven parties joined hands in Bihar last year in the interest of the country and they came out of the alliance (with the BJP). “The decision we have taken towards the Mahagathbandhan has gone well with the people, so we will continue to work like this together. But we have a responsibility beyond Bihar, and in light of the 2024 election, we must fight together and get rid of the current regime,” Kumar said.

Tejashwi, who is known as the working chief of RJD, said opposition unity is a must to defeat BJP next year. “BJP has nothing new to offer, it has been playing its old game to divide people in the name of religion. BJP is raising and talking of Mandir, Masjid and Gai (temple, mosque and cow),” Yadav said.

Yadav said this country belongs to all, not any particular community. No one can dare to deprive Muslims of voting rights. This right is given by the constitution. “We know that RSS(Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) and BJP are hell-bent on weakening the constitution and eager to make Manusmriti and Gowslkae’s theory a new constitution but people will never allow it to happen,” Yadav added.

He said, “We do not have Ambani-Adani to bankroll us. We also don’t misuse the government institutions to crack down on opposition, yet despite the attacks on us, we came together in Bihar to teach BJP a lesson and establish a unity based on the country’s interest”.

Yadav suggested to Congress, “we have said it time and again that in places where regional parties are strong, they should be given the driving seat and where there is a two-sided fight between the Congress and BJP, we will support Congress.” Yadav also attacked BJP and its mentor RSS for defaming the Hindu religion and spreading hate in the name of the religion contrary to the age-old traditions of tolerance.

After Kumar and Yadav, Khurshid made it clear that Congress also wants opposition unity. “What we face today are fascist powers. But, they are cowards. Our unity will scare them to retreat.” He said that against the hate model of the BJP, Bihar's model of oppositional unity will show the way forward. He assured that he will take forward the message of unity in the Congress party, which is also ready to build oppositional unity. 

Khurshid assured all that he will inform the party's high command about their appeal to work for opposition unity.

Member of Parliament from Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Tamil Nadu, Thol. Thirumavalavan, said, “We must oppose bigotry uncompromisingly. Fascism is hitting Indian democracy like a tsunami. It wants to make sure that a majority government will function as a majoritarian government.”

In the keynote speech, Dipankar Bhattacharya said, “The point of this convention is very clear – if the Constitution and democracy are in danger, there is a need for a decisive struggle to save them from the fascist forces and we need a grand unity for that.” He added that time and again, Bihar has shown how the opposition is built both in the streets and electorally.

Bhattacharya added that the convention being called as part of the 11th Party Congress is a clarion call for resistance and opposition to the emergency-like situation in the country.

CPI-ML convention was held in the context of continuing the larger unity being built in Bihar among the anti-fascist forces. Bihar, which has played a historic role in such struggles, will show the way forward to build a large anti-fascist movement and solidarity, the party said.