IN order to fight the third general elections in 1962, inner Party differences were pushed to the background. The crux of the election tactics decided was to break the monopoly of power of the Congress as it was proving to be a hindrance to the development of democracy and the ‘advancement of people’s cause’. Call was given to increase the representation of communists in the parliament and also in various state legislatures.These elections were held in the background of mounting numbers of unemployed and the failure of the Indian economy to register the promised growth.

THE two bills rammed through parliament last week were objectionable in every conceivable sense. The very fact of their being rammed through the Rajya Sabha, without being put to vote despite demands for a division, was grossly anti-democratic. The fact of the centre making unilateral and fundamental changes in agricultural marketing arrangements which fall within the state list of the seventh schedule of the constitution was a blow against federalism.

THE joint platform of central trade unions and independent industrial federations called for countrywide protests on September 23, 2020. This was on the immediate lockdown related demands of workers and toiling people, opposing the labour codes that curtail the existing rights and benefits of the workers and also the privatisation drive of the BJP led government.Workers across the country responded in a big way to this call.  Their participation in the demonstrations was even larger than that on the all India Protest Day on August 9, 2020, which was observed with the slogan ‘Save India’.

CPI(M) Polit-Bureau member Brinda Karat reported to the police about disturbing incidents wherein groups of young men have taken to roaming around after dark shouting slogans like ‘Jai Shri Ram’, ‘Har Har Mahadev’ and so on, not related to any religious function, in Shiv Vihar of North Delhi.She expressed concern that these incidents could have harmful consequences as this was the area where minority communities were attacked, homes burnt and families were forced to take shelter in relief camps.

The All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) has given a call for observing September 25 as All India Protest Day against the three farm sector Bills. The Bills – the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill – were passed by parliament in utter disregard for established parliamentary procedures, federal principles, and rights of states and farmers.