"The state has surplus land of 22 lakh acre which can be distributed to the landless and share-croppers, but it is surprising that none of the contenders for power are speaking about land reforms," Karat said.
CPI(M) Politburo member Brinda Karat today batted for land reforms in Bihar and wondered about the lack of will among political parties to speak for the rights of landless people.
"The state has surplus land of 22 lakh acre which can be distributed to the landless and share-croppers, but it is surprising that none of the contenders for power are speaking about land reforms," Karat told reporters here.
In a backward and under-developed state like Bihar, land reforms could increase agriculture output to ensure food security and prevent migration of landless labourers, she said.
She asked that lessons be drawn from neighbouring West Bengal which has the distinction of being the only state to have distributed free land to the landless and registering the land rights of share-croppers.
Though migration in search of jobs was on the rise, the CPI-M leader said, no political party was speaking about taking preventive measures.
The Nitish Kumar-led NDA government had moral responsibility to explain what it did during the past five years to stem migration and 'failing' to implement MNREGA.
She also criticised AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi for trying to project a pro-poor image during electioneering in Bihar, but was ignorant about non-payment of full wages to daily labourers hired for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
Leaders like him should not adopt double standards about the rights of labourers, she said.
Karat also alleged that major political parties were distributing money and liquor to the electorate to seek votes and urged the Election Commission to check the menace.
The CPI(M) leader also took to task political parties and alliances like NDA, RJD-LJP and Congress for rewarding turncoats with tickets for the polls.
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