Bihar polls: Left parties CPI, CPM, CPI (ML) fail to make splash

NEW DELHI | PATNA: In their quest for a separate identity , three left parties -CPI, CPM, CPI (ML) -came together only to find that the gamble failed to make a splash.

CPI (ML), strongest of the three in Bihar, has won two seats while in the third a narrow margin of victory resulted in Lok Janshakti Party demanding recounting. Till last reports, CPI (ML)'s Mehboob Alam was winning in Balrampur in Katihar and Satyadev Ram was winning in Darauli.In Tarari, after CPI (ML) candidate Sudama Prasad was declared a winner with a margin of 129 votes, LJP demanded retotalling.

CPI and CPM have drawn blank. Bachchwara in Begusarai held by CPI has gone to Congress. CPI has come second in Bakhri while CPM, weakest of the three Left parties, came third in Manjhi.

But the new front thinks it's a beginning. CPM politburo member Brinda Karat says, "It is the first significant step towards creating an alternative platform. But much more work is needed."

CPI (ML) leader Kavita Krishnan says the verdict is a "timely rebuff to divisive politics" but also a "mandate for greater left unity". The next big test would be Bengal next year.