THE All India Kisan Sabha, in a press statement issued on January 2, has condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making a mockery of the plight of the peasantry and poor in his address on December 31, 2016. The peasantry which was reeling under an acute crisis were further pushed into distress by the demonetisation decision. They have suffered severe income losses as well as yield loss due to the decision. Sowing has been delayed and the area sown has fallen in wheat which is bound to have adverse impact on productivity.

THE basic concern of the majority verdict of the seven-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court on the appeal of religion in the election process was to uphold secularism  and to assert that religion can have no place in elections and that appeals to voters on the grounds that religion, caste, community or language cannot be allowed.

“I have never imagined that we have to appeal for communal amity in Bengal, which was regarded as outpost of peoples’ unity. Entire country revered Jyoti Basu’s Bengal as the example of communal harmony.”CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury expressed his anguish in these words while addressing a public meeting in Dhulagarh in Howrah district.Dhulagarh has been affected by serious communal strife, instigated by the TMC and the BJP. Many homes, shops were destroyed or burnt; families attacked, people forced to flee.

THE two-day state committee meeting of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) Jammu and Kashmir unit concluded was held in Jammu on December 24-25.  The meeting was presided over by its state president and MLA MY Tarigami.  All India president of CITU, Hemalata was also present in the meeting.  Leaders of various unions affiliated to J&K CITU across the state also participated.Addressing the meeting, Hemalata stressed that persistent struggles on just and genuine demands of the working class and peasantry is the only remedy to get rid of the exploitative politics.

THE Left Front in Tripura has achieved a sweeping victory in the by-elections held for the vacant seats in the three tier panchayat held on December 21. 83 percent of the voters cast their vote in a peaceful manner. Of the total 47 seats, Left Front won unopposed in three seats in gram panchayat. Votes were taken for one seat of zila parishad, two seats of panchayat samiti and 41 seats of gram panchayat.As the results were declared on December 23, it became evident that the people in the rural area have reposed their faith in the Left Front.