The Third front formation in Bihar recieved a major setback after the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) announced that it would contest the assembly polls alone and released its first list of 23 candidates.
The CPI(ML), which had stated that it would not join hands with Lok Janshakti Party president Ramvilas Paswan unless he snapped ties with the Congress, accused Paswan's love for Congress as the stumbling block for the third front in Bihar.
Bihar campaigning begins, alliances uncertain
The CPI(ML) also blamed the Communist Pary of India of weakening the left parties' unity in state.
"The LJP and CPI-style gave body blow to the Third front formation in Bihar," CPI(ML) State Secretary Ramjatan Sharma said.
Earlier, Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) had announced that it would stay out of the Third front.
Last week, Paswan and CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan claimed that the Third front was ready to take on Rashtriya Janata Dal-led United Progressive Alliance and the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance in the assembly polls.
Choose allies wisely: Paswan to Congress
However, the CPI(ML) decision to contest alone has weakened the Third front.
"Even CPI did not care to respond to our ultimatum till Saturday to decide whether it want to join hands with CPI(ML) or LJP," senior CPI(ML) leader K D Yadav said, adding that once the given time lapsed, the CPI(ML) declared its first list of candidates and is likely to release second list soon.
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