The Bihar elections will mark the beginning of the Modi government’s downfall: M A Baby

Q: What are your expectations from the India alliance in Bihar?
Bihar is seeing a broad alliance of democratic and secular parties. The state is preparing to counter the divisive ideologies of the RSS and BJP. There is strong opposition to the communal politics of Nitish Kumar, who has allied with these forces. Most people are critical of this alignment.

I have visited Bihar three times. My first visit was for a party meeting after the party congress, where I participated in several programmes. People expressed that for 20 years they have been coping with the policies of Nitish Kumar.

My second visit was on July 9, along with Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav, CPI General Secretary D Raja, and CPIML leader Dipankar Bhattacharya. We took part in the Vote Adhikar Yatra in Patna, organised as a protest against the introduction of the Special Identity Requirement (SIR), which required citizens to submit multiple documents to prove their nationality. Prominent leaders like Subhashini Ali and Ashok Dhawale were also part of this initiative.

The third visit, on September 1, drew a massive turnout. After participating in the events, it became clear that people are fed up with Nitish Kumar’s politics of hatred. Bihar needs a democratic, secular, and progressive force to come to power.

Q: The Election Commission claims the SIR is the best effort to prevent election malpractices and has been welcomed by citizens. What is your take?
There is a clear contradiction between the Election Commission’s statements and the Supreme Court’s interim order. The Aadhaar card should be accepted as a valid 12th identity card for elections. Has Gyanesh Kumar considered this? The Election Commission appears to be acting against the Supreme Court, likely due to strong backing from the Modi government. Just recently, news emerged of an RSS member attempting to attack the Chief Justice of India, reflecting the environment of intimidation and political influence.

The Modi government is increasingly controlling law and order and the Election Commission. Gyanesh Kumar remains in office with their support. The Supreme Court had recommended a system for selecting election commissioners, with the Prime Minister, opposition leader, and Chief Justice of India involved. But this was rejected, and the current commissioners were handpicked by Modi.

Before the elections were announced, Nitish Kumar, along with the Modi government, promised Bihari women 10,000 rupees, a move resembling bribery. Yet, the Election Commission has stayed silent on this.

The situation in Bihar is akin to a referee joining one of the teams in a football match. The Election Commission should remain neutral, but it seems to have taken sides. Nevertheless, the people of Bihar are determined to overcome this unholy situation with the Mahagathbandhan alliance.

Q: Last year, CPI M performed well, winning two of four seats contested in Bihar. Will you demand more seats this time?
We have started discussions and plan to contest more seats this year. I have discussed this with Tejashwi Yadav, but details cannot be shared yet. The CPI M state committee in Bihar is actively involved.

Q: Aam Aadmi Party has announced 11 candidates. Could this benefit BJP, and is there any chance they rejoin the India alliance?
We cannot prevent AAP from contesting independently. But my advice is clear: they should not participate if it benefits the BJP and RSS.

Q: After the implementation of SIR, some districts saw 5–12% of voters deleted from the list, with additions elsewhere. Will CPI M investigate this?
Everyone who wants to vote should be allowed to do so, and it is the Election Commission’s duty to ensure this. Yet, it seems more focused on removing voters from the rolls. During India’s first elections under Election Commissioner Sukumar Sen, the priority was to grant voting rights to all citizens. Today, under Modi, the Commission appears to be defying Supreme Court orders and restricting access to the ballot. Bihar is fighting for this fundamental right, and we will continue to fight to ensure that every eligible citizen in the state can exercise their vote.

Q: Seat allocation discussions within the Mahagathbandhan appear delayed. Why?
This is due to the inclusion of new parties in the alliance, which must also be considered in seat-sharing. The main party initiates discussions, and an agreement is reached collectively. The Rashtriya Janata Dal has already begun consultations, including with us. Seat allocation may therefore differ from last time. Our goal remains ending Nitish Kumar’s rule.

Q: Kerala is preparing for elections, with the Sabarimala gold issue under scrutiny. Could this affect results?
The enquiry is ongoing under the High Court with a dedicated monitoring committee. The LDF government’s stance is clear: those responsible must be investigated and action taken. Kerala has one of India’s best police investigation systems, with high crime resolution and conviction rates. This issue will not impact the elections, and the LDF is expected to return to power for a third consecutive term.Earlier attempts to tarnish the LDF’s image, orchestrated by the opposition, failed to dent the government’s credibility. People- centred initiatives continue to enjoy immense support, and that will not change.