AFTER giving a bloody blow to the BJP and providing a big mandate for the Mahagathbandhan under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, the people of Bihar had high hopes for better governance and inclusive growth, safeguarding the secular character of the state.

There was apprehension among a section of the society that coming together of Lalu and Nitish will be the repeat of the fifteen years of Lalu raj which was characterised by lawlessness and political protection to the criminal gangs operating under the garb of politicians of different hues. Though in the ten years of Nitish-BJP rule, some of the notorious criminals masquerading as politicians also got political patronage but in general the criminal activities were curbed to certain extent and Bihar enjoyed a certain amount of economic growth.

The two and half months of Mahagathbandhan rule has raised serious questions regarding the government role in curbing  the gang wars that have erupted in several areas and at least half a dozen politicians owing allegiance to LJP, BJP, JD(U), RJD have been gunned down in broad day light in Patna, Vaishali, Rohtas and other parts of the state. Those who have been murdered were notorious for their unlawful activities. The murder of a young lady Shrishti Jain in Patna and allegations of the heinous act of rape by one of the bahubali and an MLA of RJD from Nawada, Rajballav Yadav, abduction of a girl student by Congress MLA and molestation of a co-passenger by JD(U) MLA – all these incidents give credence to the fact that the law and order situation is deteriorating fast and criminal activities need to be curbed with political will.

The above mentioned incidents have given a handle to the faction ridden BJP, which is still licking its wounds inflicted during the recently held assembly elections. When the nation is witnessing a fight between two competing ideologies on the idea of India, the BJP has let loose its fascistic foot soldiers against those who question the so-called cultural nationalism propounded by the RSS and stand by the anti-imperialist nationalism which took its roots in 200 years of struggle against British colonialism. JNU episode symbolises the clash of these ideas on a wider scale and has exposed the true colours of the BJP and its affiliates.

The same BJP in Bihar is raising the bogey of Jungle Raj-2 and staging demonstrations all across Bihar.

Though Nitish to his credit has criticised BJP on JNU issue but he should also act swiftly against the criminal gangs and the anti-social elements who have started raising their heads during these three months.

Broad day loot, robbery of banks and other such incidents have become the daily headlines in the newspapers and electronic media.

Reports of oppression on dalits have also been there.

On the economic front, Nitish Kumar has declared that the seven-point vision document will be implemented.

The vision document lacks any road map and keeps mum about the agrarian economy which is the only area that cries for immediate attention. Without transforming the existing land relations, no development can take place.

Though nobody will disagree with providing clean water and electricity and toilets to every household, linking every hamlet with metal laid roads etc, some popular steps for providing thousand rupees to the unemployed youths and providing credit cards to the students to get bank loan, all should be welcomed. But without taking decisive steps in providing education and health care for all and creating jobs for the unemployed youths, no tangible development can take place. The government has to put an end to the all round corruption in every social security scheme and in implementing Food Security Act, ICDS scheme, Indira Awas Yojna, MNRGEA etc.

It is true that the central government is playing politics with Bihar and should be met politically; here the Nitish Kumar government has always got the helping hand from the Left forces.

But so far, the Nitish Kumar government has not shown any inclination to implement pro-poor policies rather it has succumbed to the feudal lobby which has a fair share in the government.

Recent steps regarding enhancing the tax rate of various eatables and other commodities has been criticised and it seems that the government will further increase taxes to finance its populist steps. Generally, the decision of ban on liquor from April 1 was welcomed but there are apprehensions in different quarters about the fallout of this decision.

Left political parties have met two times in the intervening period and exchanged views regarding the political development in the state. They are unanimous that the law and order situation is deteriorating; peasants are suffering due to the apathy of the government towards their genuine concerns; slum dwellers are being evicted without any plan of rehabilitation and common people are suffering due to soaring prices etc.

The government has singularly failed to procure paddy from the peasants and they had to opt for distress sale. The unfavourable weather condition has further caused hardship to the peasants in general as they fear that it will have adverse effect on rabi crop.

The state will go through one more election. The Party has decided to fight the panchayat election in all the 42 constituencies where we had put up our candidates in assembly elections. The Party is preparing for the long term movement based on local issues as identified in our election manifesto and the joint appeal of the Left parties. It will be further augmented by the decisions arrived at the seminar on agrarian policy. In the last two months, Kisan Sabha, Khetihar Mazdoor Union, CITU, SFI, AIDWA, have carried out various programmes.

DISTRICT COMMITTEE

MEETINGS

District committee meetings have been organised barring three districts. Election review and renewal were the two important agendas which were discussed thoroughly.

The Party has come to the conclusion that the two way polarisation resulted in the victory of Mahagathbandhan but our organisational weakness is the main cause of our bad showing in different districts. Where our organisation is in good shape and carry out local movements, we were able to retain and even increase our votes.

As the JNU incident came to the fore, the democratic masses of Bihar not only condemned the police action in JNU campus but they also took to the streets.  Reports are pouring in every day that not only Left forces but other democratic sections are also joining hands to fight the RSS agenda.

The Party has taken a strong view of not keeping Party accounts properly and now on from state, down the local level, the practice of keeping fool-proof account will be enforced.

CULTURAL

ACTIVITY

The Jenin Theatre group of Palestine visited Patna along with Janam of Delhi on January 24-25. It attracted a  large number of theatre buffs and Left and democratic forces sympathising with Palestinian cause.

Janwadi Sanskritik Morcha along with trade unions and other mass organisations arranged their stay and other requirements.