PRAGOTI

With less than a week to go for the state assembly polls, there is a renewed surge in favour of the LDF in Kerala. This is indicated not just by the poor turn out at rallies addressed by Sonia Gandhi and A K Antony or the rousing reception LDF campaigners, especially the irrepressible Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan is receiving across the state but by the conspicuous shift in the attitude of sections who had voted against the Left in the last Lok Sabha and Local bodies polls. The realization of the far reaching national and international political implications of a UDF return to power in the state is driving an unexpected late rally by the Left. Whatever may be the outcome of the elections, this political recovery is inspiring for the progressive forces in the state and outside.

Prabir Purkayastha contrasts the results to two recent elections - the presidential elections in Brazil and the Congressional polls in the United States. Article, courtesy Newsclick India. 

Dhananjay Tripathi, former president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union writes about the impasse that has resulted in no elections to the JNUSU for the past two years in the university. His plea- "There is need from the part of the government to look into matter of JNUSU elections and to save it from being ruined. It is imperative that the student community of JNU should also explore all the possibilities to re-conduct their elections according to the JNUSU constitution without further delay". An article that details the controversy over the Lyngdoh Committee Recommendations and the JNUSU elections can be found here (subscription required). 

The CPI (M) calls upon the Indian people to vote for strengthening the Left and Democratic forces and for an alternative secular Government at the Centre.