Reality of an Alternative Exists in Bengal: Interview with Surjya Kanta Mishra

THERE is a palpable change in the present situation in West Bengal. There will be a triangular fight in the forthcoming assembly elections as there is a corporeal chance of defeating both the central and state ruling dispensations. We will have to implement alternative policies. And this alternative can only be provided by Left, democratic, secular forces. In an interview to Ganashakti, CPI(M) state secretary Surjya Mishra said this to Prasun Bhattacharya.Q: Soon elections will be held in our state. Left Front and Congress has decided to jointly take on the might of TMC and BJP.

Stop this Persecution

CPI(M) Polit Bureau has issued the following statement on February 15THE arrest of Disha Ravi, a climate activist from Bengaluru, by the Delhi police is an atrocious action which deserves to be condemned in the strongest terms.The 22 year-old activist has been charged with sedition and criminal conspiracy on the absurd grounds that she had forwarded a “tool-kit” in support of the farmers’ struggle.The paranoid Modi government has to forthwith end this persecution of young activists. The charges against Disha Ravi should be withdrawn and she has to be released from

Kisan Movement: Exploring the Class Underpinnings

PRIME Minister Modi is evidently upset with the growing resonance in the country with the never-say-die movement of the kisans. The movement which has now assumed the form of vigorous united and peaceful resistance is the rallying point of various sections of the class-differentiated peasantry in India. It is this remarkable unity which defines both the spread and depth of the resistance. It is faced with this granite stonewall that the prime minister betrayed his sense of frustration!

AP: Protests Against Privatisation of Vizag Steel Plant

THE Modi government’s decision to privatise Visakhapatnam Steel Plant has resulted in widespread protests from across the state of Andhra Pradesh. A relay hunger strike camp was staged by the Visakhapatnam Steel Conservation Struggle Committee (VSCSC) near the main gate on February 12. Dr Kolla Rajamohan Rao, who was a part of the Students’ Action Committee of the historic Vizag Steel movement back in 1966-67, shared his experiences of being a part of the “Visakha Ukku - Andhrula Hakku'' movement.

MNREGA Being Turned into ‘A Guaranteed Uncertainty’

“THESE schemes are making the labourers lazier. Hence, they don’t heed anyone. They are just impossible”.These are the regular comments heard with respect to the labourers in our day-to-day lives. Going another step ahead are some who question the very scheme and strongly advocate for the removal of these schemes. These remarks are very often heard about the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA).

Urban in the Budget, even Rhetoric Missing

THE budget for the year 2021-22 was placed in the background of the ravaging pandemic and with a hope that the urban centres, which saw the worst kind of forced-reverse migration in recent times would be addressed holistically. The budget speech began with the recognition of the crisis that the pandemic has brought to the nation and its people, the finance minister whilst recognizing the role played by essential workers offer very little to them in return.

Delhi: Arrest Mishra for Spreading Enmity

IN a letter written to the Delhi police commissioner on February 16, 2021, Brinda Karat, Polit Bureau Member and K M Tiwari, Delhi state secretary of CPI(M) demanded immediate arrest of Kapil Mishra, a leader of the BJP for spreading enmity through a toolkit created by him on a social media platform ‘Telegram’, called the “Hindu Eco System.”The letter referred to a news item published in News Laundry, a news portal, on February 15, 2021.

BJP-RSS Regime Criminalises Dissent

THE diabolical and paranoid BJP-RSS central government led by Narendra Modi and Amit Shah has accelerated on the atrocious path of criminalising dissent and demonising protesters in the valiant nationwide farmers’ struggle, which will complete three months on February 26.SERIAL ASSAULTSON DEMOCRACYAfter the violent events on January 26 which the BJP regime had itself orchestrated, the government first went after farmers, arresting over 122 of them and throwing them in prison.

Solidarity with People of Myanmar

THERE is a mass upsurge in Myanmar (Burma) against the military takeover. People from all walks of life have been out on the streets in the past fortnight protesting against the brutal suppression of democracy.The Tatmadaw (Myanmar armed forces) effected the coup on February 1, the day the new parliament was to open after the general election in November 2020. The election had resulted in a landslide victory for the Aung San Suu Kyi-led National League for Democracy (NLD). The army declared the results to be illegal and deposed President Win Myint and State Counsellor Suu Kyi.

Petrol & Diesel Prices: End This Loot

THE relentless increase in the prices of petrol and diesel is adding to the problems of the people already burdened by the pandemic woes of joblessness and loss of incomes. The daily increase in the retail prices of fuel has led to the price of petrol breaching the Rs 90 per litre mark in various cities. At this rate, the Rs 100 mark will be reached very soon.The government and the oil companies justify this increase citing the rising global prices of crude oil. This is, however, a specious claim.

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