SOON after the Narendra Modi-led BJP secured an emphatic victory in the parliamentary election, reports about targeting of Muslims and dalits started trickling in from various parts of the country. The second consecutive win for the BJP, riding on a narrative built around communal nationalist jingoism, has emboldened right-wing goons and vigilantes.

ALL indications are that the second term of the Modi government will mark a further reinforcement of its role as a junior partner of the United States. This will, in turn, quicken the implementation of the neoliberal agenda and the consequent adverse impact on the lives of the people.

THE CPI(M), Delhi state committee, in a statement issued on June 4, has welcomed the decision of the Delhi state government to provide free travel for women in the metro and state run buses. This will especially provide welcome relief to lakhs of women working in the unorganised sector who are deprived of even minimum wages.    

WORKERS in Andhra Pradesh observed the golden jubilee celebrations of CITU with vigour. Flag marches, rallies, meetings and blood donation camps were organised in this connection. Golden jubilee meeting was held in Kalabharati at Visakhapatnam, which was presided over by Ch Narasinga Rao, CITU state president. He explained the historical background for the formation of CITU and narrated the ebbs and flows of the movement. In any tough situation, CITU stood to safeguard the interests of working class, he explained.

WE often miss this aspect in our discussions, but Modi’s re-election is part of a global Right-ward shift that is taking place. Netanyahu got re-elected in Israel. Erdogan got massively re-elected in Turkey. The Conservative government came back to power in Australia against all predictions to the contrary.