As political activity heats up ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections amidst the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) by the Election Commission of India, CPI(ML) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya confirmed that the party is preparing to contest around 40 seats, marking a strategic expansion across the state.
Speaking exclusively to Timeline, Bhattacharya clarified that the 40-seat target is based on ground-level realities and electoral potential his party sees fit. “We contested 19 seats in 2020, from just 12 districts, and we won 12 of them. That’s a strong performance,” he noted, suggesting that a broader seat allocation could further strengthen the INDIA bloc’s prospects.
He pointed out that in areas where CPI(ML) was active, allied parties like the RJD and Congress also saw stronger results. “Even the Congress, which struggled in North Bihar, performed better in South Bihar where we had a presence,” he said, advocating for a more equitable seat-sharing formula this time.
Bhattacharya said seat-sharing discussions with INDIA bloc allies are ongoing and hinted at a consensus within a month or two. “We’re handling multiple fronts—SIR resistance, finalising the manifesto, seat-sharing talks, campaign strategies—everything simultaneously,” he said.
On the party’s potential footprint, he added, “Expanding into more districts naturally means contesting more seats. A cohesive strategy that ensures parity among partners will ensure success—not just in South Bihar, but also in Mithila, Koshi and other regions of North Bihar.”
Bhattacharya expressed optimism about the alliance functioning as a united team rather than individual parties contesting in silos. He said the need of the hour was to counter both the administrative failures of the current NDA government and the divisive politics being promoted in the name of governance.
“CPI(ML) is ready. We are preparing with full strength,” he asserted, adding that a broader presence for the party would translate into improved outcomes for the entire INDIA bloc.
As Bihar inches closer to elections likely to be held in October or November, the final seat-sharing arrangements among the INDIA bloc could be decisive in shaping the opposition’s fortunes against the entrenched NDA government.
