DH Interview | 'BJP sidelining Nitish in quiet JD(U) takeover; it's a coup'

The I.N.D.I.A bloc constituents appear to be heading for a ‘friendly contest’ in a dozen seats in poll-bound Bihar. In conversation with Sumit Pande, CPI(ML) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, whose party has been allocated 20 seats, says the Opposition parties plan to release a common minimum programme, even as he accuses the BJP of engineering a “coup" to capture Nitish Kumar’s JD(U).

Are you satisfied with the seat allocation?

We were looking at probably a slightly bigger number, at least another six seats. But considering the size of the coalition, we have one new entrant, which is the VIP, and a couple of other small parties, like IIP, in the coalition. So, we settled for 20.  I hope whatever glitches are still there will be sorted out by the time of withdrawal of nominations.

Former JNU student union president and CMI(ML) leader Chandrashekhar, who was very active in Siwan in the 90s, was allegedly murdered by people considered close to former MP Shahabuddin, whose son is now contesting on the RJD ticket.

See, this is a party's choice. Shahabuddin was sent to jail and served his punishment; and he is no more anyway. Chandrashekhar is a leader we remember with great respect. He was one of those remarkable student leaders who had the clarity of vision in 1995-96 that India was at a crossroads, and one road led to a Hindu Rashtra, and if that happened, our democracy and our Constitution would be finished. The things we are saying today, Chandu had done that some 30 years ago.

Do you think the momentum that you built over the SIR and other issues seems to have dissipated?

I think there is a bit of a misconception about this. The SIR remains a major concern. If you look at the 2024 mandate, especially the results from Uttar Pradesh, you can see how the defence of the Constitution became such a major part of their agenda. The SIR also concerns people's right to vote. 

Will there be a joint manifesto of the I.N.D.I.A bloc?

I think there will be a joint manifesto. It remains to be seen whether we call it a manifesto or a common minimum programme. If some of our major concerns are not included, we will also have a supplementary manifesto from our own side.

NDA ministers say the CM would be decided by the MLAs after the elections. Does it have an impact on the communities that Nitish Kumar has mobilised over the last 20 years?

There are several indications that the BJP is eyeing a complete capture of power in Bihar. Nitish has been gradually eased out over the past several months and is no longer the commanding centre in the NDA's scheme of things. This time, the BJP made it a point to tell in so many words that we are on equal level: 101 seats for the BJP and 101 for the JD(U).

In fact, it is like JD(U)'s 101 versus 142 of team BJP. Team BJP includes BJP, LJP and other smaller parties. There is a kind of takeover of the JD(U) from within by the BJP. It's a coup of sorts.

The BJP is banking on the recent cash transfer schemes for women implemented by the ruling coalition.

The Rs 10,000 scheme was seen as a potential master stroke. But now, Amit Shah says that it is not free money, but seed money for a bigger loan. So, women in Bihar are very much concerned about the loan burden.

CPI(ML) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya