A MASSIVE Left wave has engulfed Kerala's political scene as the CPIM-led Left Democratic Front has swept a major chunk of the seats in the recent local body elections. Dealing a massive blow to the INC-led UDF, LDF has conclusive leads in five city corporations out of six, 10 out of 14 district panchayats, 108 out of 152 block panchayats, 34 out of 86 municipalities, and 514 out of 941 grama panchayats in the state. The present LDF government was much appreciated for the citizen-friendly way in which the state tackled the coronavirus crisis.

THE big success of the Bharat bandh called by the farmers’ organisations on December 8 was a display of people’s support and sympathy for the cause of the farmers.The spontaneous response to the bandh call in many places and the support extended to it by a wide range of organisations and sections of the society – trade unions, traders’ organisations, transport associations, teachers, students and women’s organisations – all indicate the isolation of the Modi government on this issue.  It is also significant that almost all non-BJP opposition parties expressed support for the protest action.

IN the context of the on-going country-wide kisan movement for repealing Modi’s three agriculture bills, while an overwhelming majority of commentators have stood with the position taken by the kisans, a few, though not necessarily agreeing with Modi, have raised the question: why shouldn’t agriculture operate within a free market?

THE bandh call given on December 8, by over 500 kisan unions who are on agitation and then supported by over 24 political parties, was highly successful given by the participation of the people and the impact it had on the ground.

LEADERS of political parties – Congress, DMK, NCP, RJD, PAGD, SP, CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML), AIFB, and RSP – in a statement issued on December 6, have extended their solidarity with the ongoing massive struggle by the Indian farmers organised by various kisan organisations from across the country and supported their call for a Bharat bandh on December 8 demanding the withdrawal of the retrograde agri-laws and the Electricity Amendment Bill.The new agri-Laws passed in the parliament in a brazen anti-democratic manner preventing a structured discussion and voting, threaten India’s food security, d