BJP Leader’s EVM Assertion: Slip of Tongue about a Hidden Agenda?

ASTONISHING the democracy-loving people of Tripura, BJP state president Biplab Deb boastfully declared: “As election was held in Uttar Pradesh and Manipur, it will recur in Tripura. Even if (Chief Minister) Manik Sarkar himself casts his vote for his party, that will be recorded in favour of lotus (BJP’s poll symbol).

LETTER: ‘EVMs to be used in Tripura elections must be linked with VVPAT’

THE president of the Tripura unit of BJP, Biplab Deb, has in a public meeting, cast aspersions on the objectivity and fairness of the electronic voting machines and dared the chief minister of Tripura to lodge a complaint against him. This comes in the background of the widespread apprehensions about EVMs. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury has written a letter to the chief election commissioner on April 15, demanding among other things that in elections in Tripura, EVMs with voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) should be used.

TELANGANA: Relay Hunger Strike for Protection of Dharna Chowk

THE Left parties, including the CPI(M), and various mass organisations commenced relay hunger strike demanding the TRS government to continue the dharna chowk at Indira Park in Hyderabad. Started by the Left parties on April 15, the relay hunger strikes by different mass organisations and different sections of the people would continue till the 14th May and culminate into occupation of Dharna Chowk on the 15th May.

Generic Prescribing of Medicines: Diktats are Not a Substitute for Sound Public Policy

IN a recent public meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the government would take steps to reduce costs incurred on purchase of medicines by making it mandatory for doctors to prescribe medicines in generic name. In itself such a step by the government would be welcome. Unfortunately past experience shows that such pronouncements are mere empty promises that have no relation to the situation on the ground.

On Incidents in Kashmir

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement on April 15.THE Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its deep outrage over reports of a Kashmiri youth being tied on a jeep belonging to central security forces ostensibly to be used as a shield against stone-pelters.

Alarming Rural Distress

THE incidence of rural distress is assuming alarming proportions in many parts of the country. In those areas which are either perennially prone to drought or have suffered drought-like conditions in the last two years, the situation is nothing short of deadly.

Himachal Pradesh: Kisan Sabha Holds Massive Rally

THOUSANDS of farmers under the banner of Himachal Pradesh Kisan Sabha (affiliated to AIKS) marched to Shimla and had a massive protest at the state secretariat on April 5, seeking redressal of the burning problems of the peasantry. Over five thousand farmers from across Himachal Pradesh joined the protest. Braving heavy rain they marched determined to fight for their legitimate rights.The peasantry in the state are in extreme distress due to the anti-peasant policies of the Congress-led state government as well as BJP-led central government and the demonetisation move has hit them hard.

Malappuram Election: LDF Strengthens Mass Base

THOUGH the opposition UDF’s candidate PK Kunjalikkutty has registered a comfortable victory in the by-election to Malappuram Lok Sabha constituency, the LDF has registered a huge increase of more than one lakh votes. LDF’s candidate MB Fasal gained 1,01,303 votes more when compared to the 2014 general election. Another interesting factor is BJP could hardly get a thousand votes more than last election, even when the number of voters increased by 1,14,975.

MAHARASHTRA: AIKS to Organise Whipcord Rally for Loan Waiver and Remunerative Prices

MAHATMA Jotirao Phule had written a celebrated book that was aptly called “Shetkaryacha Aasood” (whipcord of the farmer). The Maharashtra Rajya Kisan Sabha (AIKS) has begun an Aasood Yatra throughout the state from April 11. The date is historic for three reasons: it is the 190th birth anniversary of Mahatma Phule; it is the death anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji, whom Phule had hailed as the king of the peasantry; and it is the 81st foundation day of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS).

Bhoomi Adhikar Andolan Demands Justice for Pehlu Khan’s Family

THE Bhoomi Adhikar Andolan organised a day long protest dharna at Jantar Mantar demanding justice for the family of Pehlu Khan killed by so-called "gau-rakshaks" under the patronage of RSS.A cheque of Rs Three lakh from Kisan Sabha was handed over on behalf of all present by Hannan Mollah, to his mother Angoori Begum and another Rs 50,000 to a seriously injured Ajmat.The protest was addressed by AIKS general secretary, Hannan Mollah, CPI(M) Polit Bureau members Brinda Karat and Subhashini Ali, CPI national secretary, D Raja, CPI(ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, AIKS (Ajoy Bhava

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