The party politburo flags ‘well-orchestrated misuse’ of official machinery, massive money power and cadres brought in from outside the state
NEW DELHI – The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has alleged that the Bihar Assembly election results were shaped by “gigantic-scale rigging” and unprecedented misuse of the state machinery by the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
In a sharply worded communique issued after its politburo meeting on November 13–14, the CPI(M) claimed the magnitude of manipulation surpassed earlier allegations of electoral interference in Maharashtra and Haryana.
The elections recorded an impressive 67 per cent turnout, including 71.6 per cent participation by women, the highest ever in the state. But the CPI(M) argued that the surge in participation did not translate into a genuine reflection of public will. Instead, it said the NDA’s increased seat tally — despite negligible gains in vote share compared to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls — was enabled by a “well-orchestrated misuse” of official machinery, massive money power and cadres brought in from outside Bihar.
Managed Mandate
The Polit Bureau accused the BJP-led coalition of deploying high-octane communal and caste polarisation, spearheaded by the prime minister and home minister, and amplified by what it described as a “compliant corporate media ecosystem.” This “manufactured narrative,” the CPI(M) said, effectively drowned out livelihood, employment and governance issues raised by the Mahagathbandhan.
The party alleged that the BJP leveraged the bureaucratic apparatus, police networks and local administrators at every stage of the electoral process. It cited reports of interference during polling, counting, postal ballots and the transmission of results as signs of a carefully engineered victory.
The CPI(M) said it would examine in detail the role of the Election Commission of India (ECI), whose “partisan attitude,” abrupt implementation of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar, and “opaque conduct” during critical stages of the process have come under scrutiny.
SIR a ‘Backdoor NRC’
The party linked the Bihar experience to the ongoing nationwide SIR exercise in 12 states, calling it the “most far-reaching assault on electoral democracy” since Independence. According to the CPI(M), the SIR’s stringent documentation demands and the use of an outdated 2002 baseline effectively function as a “backdoor NRC aimed at disenfranchising millions.”
It warned that the process will disproportionately affect marginalised communities, migrants, minorities and the poor while allowing the inclusion of “bogus voters” through political collusion.
Call for Opposition Unity
Terming the Bihar verdict a “wake-up call,” the CPI(M) said the episode demonstrates that defeating the BJP will require far more coordinated resistance by opposition parties. It thanked voters who supported the Left and other opposition candidates “despite the adverse, manipulated conditions.”
With opposition parties already questioning the credibility of the Bihar mandate, the CPI(M)’s allegations have injected fresh momentum into the broader debate on electoral integrity and the role of the Election Commission — a debate likely to intensify as more details of the Bihar process come under the scanner.
Prashant Kishore of Jan Suraaj Party alleged that Rs 14,000 crore from the World Bank fund of 21,000 crore were transferred to women in Bihar election. JSP contested Bihar elections but failed to win a single seat.
Although Bihar dominated the communique, the CPI(M) also commented on a series of national issues, including car explosion near Red Fort, Electricity Amendment Bill 2025, US pressure on trade and defence and other issues.
The party criticised the Narendra Modi government for security lapses in Delhi and called the bomb attack a direct indictment of claims made under “Operation Sindoor.”
It warned that Electricity Amendment Bill could trigger tariff shocks, cripple state discoms and hand over the energy sector to private monopolies.
On Shram Shakti Niti, it termed as an ideologically driven attempt to dismantle worker protections and impose “corporate-Hindutva labour laws.”
The left party also criticised the government for conceding sovereignty through trade concessions and deep military integration with the United States.
On the Gaza Ceasefire, it welcomed the ceasefire, urging India to review ties with Israel and stand with Palestine.
The CPI(M) announced that its Central Committee will meet in Thiruvananthapuram from January 16–18, 2026.
