The CPI(ML) Legislative party in the Bihar Assembly consisting of 3 members led by Com. Mahboob Alam proved itself to be the true opposition in the State by raising issues related to farmers, workers and the poor in the Budget session of 2016. During zero hour Com. Mahboob Alam raised the issues of the institutional murder of Rohith Vemula and the false cases of sedition against JNU students and proposed a censure motion against the attempts by the BJP and the Sangh to create an atmosphere of hate and pseudo-nationalism in the country. However, the Nitish government did not see fit even to consider such a motion. Com. Alam also raised the demand for the release of Comrades Satyadev Ram, Amarjeet Kushwaha, Manoj Manzil and other activists in jail on false charges, and identification of and punishment for the killers of Rajendra Mahto, Sanjay Chaurasiya, Rampravesh Das and Mahesh Das.
Com. Sudama Prasad raised the issue of cooked up statistics by the government to show false figures of development. He asked why no new factories have been opened and why old factories are lying closed. He pointed out that the only new industries are beer factories whereas the government is at the same time talking of total prohibition. He stressed the miserable conditions of farmers and said that their crops are not being purchased adequately and paddy purchase payments are still in arrears. He raised the question of sharecroppers’ welfare and rights also and demanded that the defunct irrigation canals should be made functional. He questioned the corruption in PDS ad raised issues of housing for the poor. He pointed out that the Nitish government has failed to keep its promise of unemployment allowance. The government talks of reservation for women but the truth is that job opportunities are rapidly dwindling. Even the few appointments that are being made are on contractual or honorarium basis. The Party legislators pointed out that the Nitish government is running on the same anti-farmer, anti-worker, anti-poor and pro-corporate policies that the BJP is implementing at the Centre.
The CPI (ML) legislators took part in the discussion on the appropriation bills in most of the departments. They also raised about 205 people’s interest issues of importance to Bihar through questions, zero hour, calling attention, adjournment and other motions. They raised the matter of the Sanghi attack on the ‘Main JNU Bol Raha Hun’ programme on 13 March, condemning the attitude of the administration and government and demanding arrest of the conspirator BJP leader and removal of the City Commissioner.
On 28 March, during the post Holi session the legislators demanded discussion on the murders of ML leaders in Begusarai on 21 March; when the government refused to have a discussion they protested in the well of the Assembly and then walked out.
