The CPI(M) has announced today that it will renominate Ajay Kumar from Bibhutipur and Satyendra Yadav from Manjhi as its candidates in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, confirming their status as Mahagathbandhan representatives while other candidate names await seat-sharing talks.
At a state committee meeting attended by party secretary MA Baby, CPI(M) decided to back its sitting MLAs, Kumar and Yadav, for re-polling in their respective constituencies. The Bibhutipur and Manjhi seats are scheduled to vote on November 6 in the first phase of elections.
Names of CPI(M)’s other candidates will be announced after finalisation of the seat-sharing arrangements in the Mahagathbandhan, CPI(M) state committee member Manoj Chandravanshi said, according to a PTI report.
Baby urged grassroots workers and cadres to intensify door-to-door campaigning to build momentum for CPI(M). He also criticised the Nitish Kumar government’s policies, calling many of its pre-poll announcements ‘populist gimmicks’ designed to deceive voters at the eleventh hour. The meeting also saw participation from Politburo members A Vijay Raghavan and Ashok Dhawale, signalling high leadership involvement in the decision.
Strategy, alliances, and risks ahead
By renominating incumbents, CPI(M) appears to be banking on continuity and local recognition rather than experimenting with fresh faces. This may help consolidate its vote base in these constituencies. However, much depends on the outcome of the Mahagathbandhan seat-sharing talks. As a smaller partner within the grand alliance, CPI(M) must negotiate its share amidst competing demands from larger allies.
On the flip side, there are chances that relying on sitting legislators could backfire if local discontent or anti-incumbency is strong. CPI(M) will need to balance loyalty with electoral pragmatism.
