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Patna, October 21 (IANS). Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) [CPI-ML] National general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya on Tuesday supported Union Minister RK Singh’s recent appeal, urging voters not to support candidates with criminal background in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
Addressing a press conference in Arrah, Bhattacharya said, “In a democracy, people should stay away from those who try to do politics through crime. Such tendencies weaken democratic values.”
His support came a day after former Union minister and BJP leader RK Singh publicly urged voters to reject candidates with criminal records, irrespective of their party affiliation.
Singh had cited names of various political parties, including JD-U veteran Ananth Kumar Singh, who is contesting from Mokama, Osama Shahab, son of late Mohammad Shahabuddin and RJD candidate from Raghunathpur, JD-U candidate from Nawada, Vibha Devi, wife of convicted Bahubali leader Rajballabh Yadav and BJP’s Samrat Chaudhary, who is contesting from here. Tarapur assembly constituency.
However, when reporters asked Bhattacharya whether he agreed with Singh’s comments about the Grand Alliance candidates, he avoided a direct answer and quickly changed the subject.
Instead the CPI-ML leader stressed his party’s commitment towards clean politics and public issues.
He said, “Bhojpur has always been a land of mass struggles. This time too, people will trust CPI-ML candidates who fight for employment, education and law and order.”
He announced that CPI-ML candidates are contesting from three assembly constituencies in Bhojpur district, and expressed confidence that the public mood this time reflects a desire for change.
“This election will be a referendum against corruption and crime in Bihar,” Bhattacharya said.
A large number of party workers were present during the press conference.
Meanwhile, RK Singh’s statement has sparked debate in the political circles of Bihar, as it openly revealed the names of candidates from the NDA and Grand Alliance camps, and urged voters to elect only clean and honest representatives.
–IANS
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