As we pen these lines, campaigning for Y2K's first electoral showdown has just ended. By the time this issue of ML Update reaches you, the results would probably be out in all the four states that went to the polls and the scene of action will have shifted to Parliament where the NDA government is all set to present its much-threatened budget of harsh measures. Trade unions and other mass and class organisations of the working people have also begun to prepare for the ensuing budget session. The harsh measures must be rolled back through stiff resistance.
In terms of electoral outcome, the BJP and its allies will probably experience their first ever passage to power in both Bihar and Orissa while for the Congress it still remains a protracted battle for revival. By all indications, the RJD is on its way out of power even though its eventual showing is expected to be better than the lowest it had touched in the 1999 Lok Sabha polls.
In spite of its expected victories in Orissa and Bihar, it is certainly not going to be smooth sailing for the NDA. Cracks have already started surfacing in the much-trumpeted "solid" alliance of the saffron coalition. While several NDA candidates refused to retire in favour of the authorised nominees, the Shiv Sena also threw its hat in the ring to add to the comic potential of the saffron circus in Bihar. All the helicopters and filmstars hired by the NDA could not mask its mafia face in Bihar and Advani had just no answer to the grilling queries of presspersons about the criminal "credentials" of many an NDA candidate.
Given the conflicting internal pulls and pressures, the future for the NDA coalition in Bihar looks all but smooth and bright. And undoubtedly, a shaky coalition government in Bihar will also keep the government in the Centre permanently on tenterhooks. Ably assisted by Uttar Pradesh, Bihar will probably spell the undoing of Vajpayee's third term. The NDA is fully aware of the impending political instability and hence the big hurry to review and rewrite the Constitution and push through the so-called second generation of economic reforms. The pro-American character of the BJP-led government is also getting increasingly exposed as Vajpayee prepares to offer his prayers to "Lord" Clinton.
On our part, our party has once again waged a heroic battle in the Bihar elections. The terms of this battle continue to be loaded against us as we face a uniformly hostile administration and state terror in addition to the host of private armies and mafia gangs. But braving all odds, our Party has continued to expand its influence and break new grounds and this election is going to be no exception. Even as we await the counting of votes and declaration of final results, which itself is a phase full of challenges in Bihar, the Party has clearly gained in terms of its regional spread and wider social acceptability and political influence. With the CPI(M) standing isolated and its tailism thoroughly exposed, the developments in Bihar are bound to have its echoes all over the Left circles in the country. Let us get ready to consolidate the gains in Bihar with matching mass political initiatives during the ensuing budget session of Parliament. Let us devote all our energy to build up a country-wide Left resistance against the saffron offensive.
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