The CPI (M-L), Assam State committee has decided not to contest the Lok Sabha elections but will support non-BJP candidates.

It also urged the people of Assam not to vote for the ruling BJP. The announcement was made at a manifesto release programme here on Saturday. Assam state committee secretary CPI (M-L), Rubul Sarma said, “All the opposing forces have to unite together to stop BJP-ally in the Lok Sabha elections from winning. The BJP had betrayed the people of the state promising so many things before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections but they have failed to fulfil those promises. Rather than solve the issues, they have created more problems.”

The party had contested three seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and eight seats in the 2016 Assembly elections, but couldn't succeed in any of the seats.

Assam has 14 Lok Sabha constituencies and 126 Legislative Assembly seats. The BJP has been in power in the state since 2016.

Giving reasons for not contesting the election, Sarma said, “The party decided against contesting in a bid to end the fascist rule of BJP. We don't want to divide the anti-BJP voters. If we field candidates in this election, then there is a chance for BJP to win. In past elections, we had succeeded in garnering only 25,000 to 30,000 votes in each Lok Sabha constituency.

“We will organise meetings and also campaign for the candidates whom we will support. From Lakhimpur constituency, the party will support and work for CPM nominee Amiya Kumar Handique,” Sarma added.

The party has decided to play an active role during the election and hold public meetings to sensitise the public about the “betrayal” by the BJP government in the last five years, he further said.

“We have been playing the role of a watchdog of government activities even though we have no MLA or MP in Assam. Our role will be same after this election. This time, our main objective is to fight against the BJP. At any cost, we can’t let them win. Their MPs and MLAs say there will be no need for election in the country after 2024 as they will win anywhere in the country. This type of fascist system needs to be controlled,” said Dhiraj Das, central control commissioner-member of the CPI (M-L).

“We have included several important points in our manifesto and if any candidate promises to fulfil those, we will support him. Our support is based on some conditions. The manifesto highlights protecting the rights of farmers, basic rights of all, equal wage for equal work, education for all, fight against corruption, not to support any communal bill like the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, among others,” Das said.