The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, a key player in Bihar’s INDIA bloc, unveiled its list of 20 candidates for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections on Saturday, re-nominating all 12 of its incumbent MLAs. The strategic move underscores the party’s confidence in its sitting legislators while introducing fresh faces in constituencies it lost in the 2020 polls.

In the 2020 assembly elections, CPI(ML) Liberation contested 19 seats and secured victories in 12, cementing its influence within the Mahagathbandhan coalition. This time, despite pushing for 24 seats, the party settled for 20 to maintain coalition harmony. “We have maintained the spirit of coalition... I am confident that the Mahagathbandhan will win the polls with a thumping majority. People are tired of the NDA government,” said general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, signaling a fierce challenge to the ruling National Democratic Alliance.

Prominent re-nominated MLAs include Amarjeet Kushwaha (Ziradei), Satyadeo Ram (Darauli), Gopal Ravi Das (Phulwari), Sandeep Saurav (Paliganj), Shiv Prakash Ranjan (Agiain), Ajit Kumar Singh (Dumraon), and Mahboob Alam, alongside others like Birendra Prasad. New candidates, such as Diya Gautam (Digha), Anil Kumar, and Phoolbabu Singh (Warisnagar), aim to bolster the party’s prospects in tougher constituencies. Candidates for the first phase of polling on November 6, including Dhananjay (Bhore) and Amarnath Yadav (Daraunda), have already filed nominations.

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With elections to the 243-member Bihar assembly scheduled for November 6 and 11, and vote counting set for November 14, CPI(ML) Liberation is banking on its blend of experienced lawmakers and new talent to sway voters disillusioned with the NDA. The party’s campaign is poised to capitalize on anti-incumbency sentiments, aiming to secure a stronger foothold in Bihar’s political landscape.

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