On March 30, CPIML released the list candidates for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 and the bye-elections in the state of Bihar and Jharkhand. Under the banner of INDIA alliance, CPIML has fielded candidates in Bihar's Arrah, Karakat and Nalanda, Jharkhand's Kodarma and also for the bye-election in Agiaon assembly constituency.
Comrade Rajaram Singh will be contesting from Karakat Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar. He was the President of the All Bihar Students’ Union in 80s, and is also the Founder President of the Revolutionary Youth Association (RYA). He represented Obra Assembly constituency as MLA from 1995 to 2005. While he was MLA, he organised development conferences where he presented his report card amongst tens of thousands of people. The model that he presented as a people’s representative is worthy of being followed. At present, Comrade Rajaram Singh is the General Secretary of the All India Kisan Mahasabha and a member of the working group of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha. He is at the forefront of the countrywide farmers’ struggle. Rajaram Singh has stood firmly with the struggles of workers, Dalits, women, minorities, Anganwadi and other scheme workers.
Sandeep Saurav, sitting CPIML MLA from Paliganj is contesting from Nalanda Lok Sabha constituency. He was the former JNUSU General Secretary and ex-General Secretary of AISA and is an experienced organiser and leader of struggles for the rights of students, youth, oppressed and backward groups. Sandeep joined JNU, Hindi Department as a Masters student in 2007. A tireless left activist from his college days, he led the struggle in JNU against the scuttling of OBC reservations. Even in times of tremendous personal difficulties, Comrade Sandeep chose to lead the organisation and went on to become the National General Secretary of AISA. He was also selected as an assistant professor in Bihar, but he chose to work for the poor and marginalised as a humble CPIML activist in his home state.
Comrade Sudama Prasad is currently the sitting CPIML MLA from Tarari will be contesting from Arrah Lok Sabha constituency. He had been at the forefront of anti-feudal resistance of poor and oppressed caste peasants in Bhojpur, continuing the glorious legacy of the late Comrade Ram Naresh Ram, the iconic leader and unbeaten MLA of the party from this region. He also played a crucial role in organising the small traders in the region for their rights and livelihood. While MLAs from then ruling formation evade accountability, Comrade Sudama has set an example by publishing a thick “report card” of his term as MLA: accounting for every paisa spent and every decision taken. Sudama Prasad is the National Vice President of All India Kisan Mahasabha.
In Jharkhand. Comrade Vinod Singh, who is currently the sitting MLA in Jharkhand’s Bagodar Assembly and a politburo member of CPI(ML) will be contesting from Koderma Lok Sabha Constituency. He completed in Masters in Sociology from Banaras Hindu University. Known for his dedication and unwavering commitment to the cause of the people, he had played a pivotal role in supporting the migrant workers from Jharkhand who were stuck in various states during the Covid lockdown. Carrying forward the red flag of CPI(ML) and the revolutionary legacy of martyr comrade Mahendra Singh, Comrade Vinod is a strong voice who championed the issues and concerns of peasants, workers and oppressed sections inside the Jharkhand Assembly and on the streets.
After the conviction of the CPI(ML) MLA Manoj Manzil and 22 other comrades in a politically motivated case, the election commission has notified the bye-election in Agiaon assembly. Comrade Shiv Prakash Ranjan will be contesting from Agiaon assembly in the bye-election. He is the Bihar state secretary of Revolutionary Youth Association (RYA) and the state committee member of the CPI(ML) in Bihar. Along with Comrade Manoj, he had been at the forefront of various movements in Agiaon, including the historic Sadak Par School campaign for improvement of schooling.
