Patna: Dipankar Bhattacharya, National General Secretary of CPI-ML said, he seeks a larger seat allocation in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, adding that despite making sacrifices during the Rajya Sabha election.
CPI-ML has 12 MLAs, and CPI and CPM have 2 MLAs each. So, we also seek representation in the Rajya Sabha and Vidhan Parishad. We have made sacrifices, but only for now. We require adequate seats in the Lok Sabha election,” Bhattacharya stated.
“I have received a call from Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge and also interacted with Tejashwi Yadav. Hence, I sacrificed for the Mahagathbandhan this time. We will not make repeated sacrifices in the future,” he emphasized.
Bhattacharya clarified that his party, which had previously requested five out of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state, now seeks a larger share due to the exit of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) from the grand alliance.
“The CPI (ML) Liberation holds 12 MLAs in the Bihar assembly. We have made sacrifices for the alliance. We had a rightful claim to a Rajya Sabha seat. However, after the intervention of the top leadership of the Congress party, we decided to postpone our claim for a Rajya Sabha seat in the interests of the grand alliance. The Mahagathbandhan comprises the RJD, the Congress and three Left parties, including the CPI(ML) L.” Speaking to the media, Bhattacharya stated,
The nomination process for Bihar’s six Rajya Sabha seats is currently underway, with candidates from various parties filing their papers. CPI-ML had expressed interest in one of these seats, particularly the one sought by Akhilesh Singh.
“We have demonstrated our commitment to the alliance by supporting Congress in the Rajya Sabha. However, this should be reciprocated in the Lok Sabha seat allocation. With 12 MLAs and support from CPI and CPM, we deserve adequate representation this time in both the Rajya Sabha and Vidhan Parishad,” Bhattacharya asserted.
“In the past, CPI-ML has demanded five Lok Sabha seats in Bihar. With the changing political landscape due to Nitish Kumar’s exit from the alliance, we expect fair consideration for our demands,” Bhattacharya added, highlighting the party’s stance communicated to Mahagathbandhan leaders
The nomination for Bihar’s six seats of Rajya Sabha is underway and four of the candidates including three from NDA Sanjay Jha (JD-U), Bhim Singh (BJP), Dharmashila Gupta ((BJP) and one from Mahagathbandhan Akhilesh Prasad Singh (Congress) filed it. Two candidates from RJD Manoj Kumar Jha and Sanjay Yadav will file their nominations on Thursday.
The CP- ML was wanting a seat in Rajya Sabha and Dipankar Bhathacharya, looking at the seat of Akhilesh Singh.
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