THE newly elected general secretary of the CPI(M), M A Baby, accompanied by Polit Bureau member Ashok Dhawale, arrived in Bihar on May 5 for a two-day visit.

The one-day stay in Patna was packed and politically significant. The two leaders met with the state secretariat members at the Party office, where the general secretary briefed them on the key decisions taken at the recently concluded Party Congress.

Later in the afternoon, they met RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav at his residence and exchanged views on strategies to defeat the BJP and its allies in the upcoming Assembly elections. M A Baby stressed the urgent need to counter the poisonous, fascistic ideology of the RSS-led BJP, which he said is tearing apart the communal harmony of the country through daily hate speeches – particularly targeting Muslim communities. He further emphasized that the unity of secular parties and democratic forces is essential to defeat the BJP electorally.

At 3 PM, M A Baby addressed the press at the Party office and shared the major decisions of the Party Congress. He elaborated on the neo-fascist character of the Modi regime and the communal-corporate nexus that has strengthened under the neoliberal economic framework. He stated that the CPI(M) is committed to defeating this regime by forging broad alliances among Left, democratic, and secular forces. To achieve this unity, he emphasized that the Party must build and strengthen its independent mass base through intensified class and mass struggles and by advancing Left unity. He stressed that the fight against neoliberalism must be combined with the struggle to safeguard the secular and democratic character of the Indian Republic, as the two are deeply interconnected.

When asked about the potential chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming elections, he responded courteously, stating that the decision would be made in consultation with the Mahagathbandhan partners.

On May 6, M A Baby, along with Ashok Dhawale, state secretary Lalan Chowdhary, Central Committee member Awadhesh Kumar, and secretariat members Ajay Kumar, Rampari, and Shyam Bharti, visited Madhubani district on the Nepal border to unveil a statue of the popular CPI(M) leader, district secretary, and former state committee member Bhogendra Yadav. The event took place in Yadav’s native village, Hussainpur, located in Rahika block.

Bhogendra Yadav, a three-time elected village chief, was known for leading numerous class and mass struggles on issues of land and against the oppression of marginalised and vulnerable communities.

On their way to the village, the leaders were greeted warmly at multiple locations by Party leaders and cadres holding red flags and raising spirited slogans. They were welcomed near Kanshi in Darbhanga district at the Dariama roundabout, at Ghepura in Madhubani district, and at Kapileshwar Sthan, where they were honoured with the traditional Mithila turban and paintings.

Upon reaching Hussainpur, Baby unveiled the statue of Bhogendra Yadav and addressed a well-attended public meeting. Highlighting the rich cultural heritage of Madhubani and its world-renowned art, he struck an emotional chord with the assembled men and women. He praised the sacrifices and lifelong commitment of Bhogendra Yadav and called upon the people to carry forward his revolutionary legacy.

Ashok Dhawale spoke in detail about the key decisions of the recently concluded Party Congress and urged peasants, workers, youth, and students of Bihar to take the lead in defeating the BJP. Recalling Bihar’s significant role in resisting the Emergency during Congress rule, he made a passionate appeal to rise to the occasion and reject the BJP and its allies in the upcoming elections.

Lalan Chowdhary and Awadhesh Kumar spoke about the ongoing class and mass movements in Bihar and assured the general secretary and Polit Bureau member of the political maturity of the people of Bihar to discern between allies and adversaries. Ajay Kumar, Rampari, and Shyam Bharti also addressed the gathering.

CPI state secretary Ram Naresh Pandey reminisced about his long association with Bhogendra Yadav and appealed for unity among Left and secular forces to defeat the BJP and its fascist ideology. RJD leader and Rajya Sabha MP Faiyaz Ahmed also paid tribute to Bhogendra Yadav.

The meeting was presided over by Manoj Yadav.