CPI to discuss Bihar polls at National Council meet

CPI top brass would hold parleys on its role in the upcoming Bihar elections and is likely to adopt an agitational programme with other Left parties and mass organisations in the coming days to protest the government's economic and other policies.
The party's three-day National Council meeting, beginning in Chandigarh from tomorrow, would also discuss the recent national and international developments including BJP's one-year rule at the Centre, land acquisition ordinance, labour reforms and the on-going Lalit Modi controversy, among other matters.
"The Lalit Modi controversy, which involves issues ranging from business deals to money laundering, the alleged involvement of Vasundhara Raje and Sushma Swaraj in this, the mysterious deaths of several accused in the Vyapam scam of Madhya Pradesh, the issue relating to educational qualifications of Smriti Irani, all this show that BJP's promise of 'good days' (achhe din) have turned into a nightmare," CPI National Secretary D Raja said.

Observing that the economy was in a "very bad shape" with RBI Governor speaking of depression-like scenario emerging, he said while the agrarian sector was engulfed in a severe crisis with large number of farmers committing suicide, the manufacturing and MSME sector were also in doldrums.
In spite of global crude prices remaining at a low level, the prices of essential items have been on the rise, he said.
Regarding the upcoming Bihar elections likely in September-October, the party leaders are likely to firm up their views at the meeting on how to go about forming an alliance for the polls and contesting it, party sources had said earlier.

A final call regarding any alliance or seat-sharing would be taken only during second week of July after discussions with other Left parties, including the CPI(M), they had said.
The meeting is also likely to come out in support of the joint action plan of all central trade unions and mobilise for the protests against the Centre's "anti-farmer" and "anti-labour" policies.
The meeting, which is expected to be attended by 138 members of the Council from all states, follows the national executive meeting held in Delhi in May.