CPI-M to contest 30 Assembly seats in Bihar: Karat

The party's state committee took this decision at a meeting this morning, CPI-M General Secretary Prakash Karat said today. Asked whether his party would opt for an alliance with the RJD as in the past, Karat said "the situation at that time was quite different."

"Now the Left parties are trying to consolidate their strength and representation in the state Assembly," he said. To an another question, Karat said his party was making efforts to strengthen and expand its base in Hindi heartland.

The details of the constituencies and candidates will be announced after holding consultations with allies, Karat said, adding price rise, unemployment, backwardness and poverty would be the electoral issues of the party.

"We will highlight anti-people and faulty policies of the state and central governments responsible for the price rise and other problems facing the people," he said. Referring to the Supreme Court's recent verdict, Karat said the apex court had made it clear that foodgrains rotting in FCI godowns should be distributed among the poor.

"Instead of wasting foodgrains, the party believes it will be better to distribute the foodgrains to people facing severe drought in Bihar, Orissa and West Bengal," he said.