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BUSH IS BACK at the helm of American politics for another four years. Defying opinion polls predicting yet another cliffhanger, the Bush victory eventually proved to be rather smooth and comprehensive. He not only bagged twenty-eight of the fifty states that make up the United States of America, but also secured more than 50 percent of the popular votes.
Political observers the world over are now busy figuring out the causes underlying a second Bush victory. Some seek answers in the structural biases of the US electoral system. That the electoral system in the US discriminates against the African-American community and the poor is now widely known. The system incriminates them on any flimsy pretext, and their names are then struck off the electoral roll, thus effectively disenfranchising a considerable section of the electorate. This apart, the winner-takes-all formula which provides a disproportionately bigger say to the larger states makes the representative character of the American elections hugely suspect. But then Democrats have often won on the basis of the same system and therefore it would not suffice to attribute Bush's return to the White House to the inherent biases of the American electoral system.
A lot is also being discussed about the implications of the Bin Laden which mysteriously appeared just on the eve of the elections. Bush and Kerry reacted almost identically to the tape, with Kerry saying that he would 'absolutely stop at nothing to hunt down the terrorists, whoever they are and whereever they are.' The Kerry camp argued that the Laden tape should benefit the Democrats because it reminded the American electorate that while the Bush administration went all out to dislodge Saddam Hussein from power it had left the war against Osama unfinished. But in real life, the Osama tape probably reinforced the American feeling of insecurity and with his aggressive rhetoric against terrorism, Bush clearly emerged as the real beneficiary of the Osama effect.
The voter surveys indicate that Bush won on the twin planks of 'war on terror' and 'moral values'. Analysts are attributing the comprehensive nature of Bush's victory to an unmistakable consolidation of the religious rights, a veritable wave of assertion of conservatism in American social life with strong racist and patriarchal overtones. There can be no doubt that 9/11 has helped many Americans to wake up to the catastrophic consequences of the US policy of global domination. It is also true that the anti-war movement that rocked the world in the wake of the US-led invasion and occupation of Iraq has had a powerful echo within the United States. But the Democratic campaign only tried to blunt the edge of the anti-war campaign and co-opt it within the framework of the unchanging American foreign policy of global hegemony. The Republicans therefore had little difficulty to cash in on the environment of insecurity, and market their heady jingoistic mix of racism, conservatism and militarism.
The Bush victory thus gives us glimpse of the lethal politics of 'clash of civilizations', and points once again to the organic link between imperialist war and fascism. We can already see an intensification of the war in Iraq and to facilitate this war campaign, the puppet 'Iraqi' rulers have clamped down a state of emergency. The link is also revealed in India, with Narendra Modi drawing a quick parallel with his post-genocide victory in Gujarat. No doubt the success of the Bush formula (and the Modi model) will now inspire more introspection within the BJP and the Sangh Parivar over the failure of Vajpayee's 'Vikas Purush' politics, and 'iron man' Advani will not miss an opportunity to use it to strengthen the BJP model of combining terror and 'moral values'!
Not to be left behind, Manmohan Singh has also been prompt in hailing Bush's victory and extending him an invitation to pay an early visit to India. The watchdog's barks have been conveniently silenced in the name of international reality.
For the forces ranged worldwide against war and imperialism, the Bush victory has come as a timely reminder that a lot more remains to be done to transform the swelling global anger and anguish into a potent political force. There are clearly no easy alternatives or bypasses or shortcuts. If the Bush victory has refuelled the imperialist war drive, it is also time to intensify the anti-war anti-imperialist movement with renewed vigour and determination.
In the recently concluded JNUSU Elections, AISA won the post of President after 9 years. AISA’s Presidential candidate Mona Das swept to victory, polling 1077 votes and defeating the SFI candidate by a margin of 137 votes. ABVP polled third, with 835 votes on the post of President.
The other central panel posts were won by the SFI-AISF combine, with the ABVP finishing second on the posts of Vice President, Jt. Secy, and NSUI being the runner-up on the post of General Secretary. AISA’s VP candidate Satya Venkata Siddartha and JT. Secy. Candidate Sanjeev polled around 450 votes, while the General Secy. Candidate Awadhesh polled over 500 votes. AISA also won 3 councillor posts (Seema S. in the School of International Studies, Ajoy Ashirwad Mahaprashasta and Harshita Chaudhry in the School of Social Sciences). AISA’s candidate Kanika Singh also won the post of Student Representative to the GSCASH (Committee Against Sexual Harassment). Overall, AISA’s votes have steadily increased since last year.
The JNUSU 2004 mandate not only reflected the students’ aspirations from the Left, it also showed their clear choice in favour of a radical left leadership in JNUSU. In the elections, key political debates included the CPI-CPI(M)’s defence of pro-imperialist economic policies and draconian laws imposed by the UPA Govt. as well as the UPA’s soft stance on communal figures like Savarkar and Uma Bharti. In the Presidential debate, the SFI candidate justified consultations with Mckinsey rather than left economists, and even indirectly justified the draconian AFSPA, in order to defend CPI(M)’s positions. In contrast, AISA's candidate offered a far more convincing defence of radical left positions.
The elections also displayed students’ support for AISA’s determined resistance to the corporate takeover of JNU Dhabas by companies like Nestle, in contrast to NSUI-ABVP’s and even SFI-AISF’s support for such a takeover.
The JNUSU polls saw, for the first time, poll-time violence by ABVP goons. The Central agenda for the campus now is punishment for these elements, whose attempts to disrupt elections were foiled by students’ resistance.
This year, the ABVP tried to stage a comeback in JNU and, despite increasing its vote substantially, suffered decisive defeat. The NSUI too tried to made hay while the Congress sunshines at the Centre, and even came closer to victory on the post of General Secretary, but the JNU students rebuffed their bid. It is hardly surprising that these outfits, frustrated by defeat, are trying to tarnish JNU’s pro-left mandate. But it is disturbing that even SFI, in the manner of bad losers, has tried to blame their loss on a so called ‘unholy alliance’ between AISA, NSUI and ABVP. This ‘mahajot’ theory, first peddled by them last year, has been ridiculed by students, as reflected in the thumping mandate in favour of AISA.
AISA is ready to meet the challenge of leading the JNUSU to resist privatization, draconian laws and communal forces.
CPI(ML) held country-wide protests against hike in prices of Petrol, Diesel and LPG on Nov 5 and demanded of the UPA govt. to withdraw this hike immediately. Strongly condemning the hike, the CPI(ML) said that this step of the govt. will lead to all-round price-hike. This decision of the govt., a blatant betrayal of the "verdict 2004", amply demonstrates that the UPA govt. is following the foot-prints of the ousted BJP govt.
This hike in prices will further accentuate the problems of flood and drought affected people in various parts of the country.
Protest marches and burning of effigies were held in many centres in Bihar including Patna, Ara, Jehanabad, Darbhanga, Biharsharif and other places. Effigies of UPA govt. were burnt at Ranchi, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Garhwa, Palamou, Hazaribagh, Koderma, Giridih and many other places in Jharkhand. Protest was also organised in UP state capital Lucknow. While similar programmes were undertaken at other important centres all over the country during this protest campaign.
The party will continue to organise protests until and unless the hike is withdrawn.
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The reverberating sounds of the slogan 'Dangaee Raj Mitaya hai, Apradhi raj mitayenge - Garibon se gaddari ka ab badla chukayenge" ( ) are echoing in the villages of Bihar as the preparations for the 'Jan Sankalp Rally', to be held on Nov 30 - as called by the recently concluded State Conference of the Party, are gaining momentum with numerous mass programmes at every level in every district being conducted and more and more people joining hands with CPI(ML) cadres in this massive propaganda and exposure campaign against the criminal rule and anti-people policies of the state government.
This rally is meant to strengthen the unity of the people against growing resentment among the people of the state against the 15 years misrule of the Laloo-Rabri regime and, simultaneously, to highlight burning issues of drought, floods, starvation deaths, employment, social justice, crime against women, repression of rural poor, etc. The issue of killings of political activists and the poor by organised criminals at the behest of ruling party is also being raised in this mass campaign. People are organising meetings in the villages to take pledge to oust Laloo-Rabri government responsible for looting funds meant for state's development and for reigning by terror over the Bihari society.
After the conclusion of the week-long Padyatra campaigns in all the districts, which received a massive response, now various programmes like conventions, mass meetings by leaders and meetings by different mass organisations are being taken up right up to the village level. This has generated immense enthusiasm among party members and cadres as well as among common people whose participation in these programmes is increasing day by day.
This campaign has certainly helped break atmosphere of hopelessness generated as a consequence of the politics of parties like JD (U) and LJP.
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Thousands of people under the banner of CPI(ML) held a protest demonstration in Ara against the starvation death of a women belonging to Musahar caste. This is third starvation death reported in a row in Dihra panchayat of Sandesh block of the district in recent time. Still no relief measures have been taken up in this drought affected area, governmental apathy and rising prices are forcing more and more poor people at the brink of starvation and untimely deaths.
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An impressive state-level rally was held by the CPI(ML) in Dehradun on 5 November against the failure of the State Government in fulfilling the aspirations of the people of the new state and to demand implementation of pro-poor land reforms, implementation of Land Ceiling Act, pro-people environment protection policy and smaller Hydro-electric projects, BPL cards to all agricultural labourers, people’s rights over natural resources, education and employment to all, to include Namoshudra caste of Bangla speaking community in terai region in the scheduled caste list, to rehabilitate people displaced by Tehri dam project, ban on liquor sale in the state, to stop privatisation drive, to declare Gairsain as state capital, Punishment to the perpetrators of Khatima, Mussorie and Mujaffarnagar police atrocities during Uttarakhand movement, besides many other demands.
Hundreds of agrarian labourers, peasants, students, youth and women thronged the state capital chanting slogans like 'Naxalbari Lal Salam', 'Banto Zamin Kaam Do - Warna Gaddi Chhorh Do' and 'Down with mafia-raj' with red flags and banners depicting their demands in protest of Congress government's pro-mafia-contractor-bureaucrat policies. The rally was the concluding event of the month-long 'Save Democracy, Save Uttarakhand' campaign which was organised by the Party against the ND Tiwary govt's misrule and nonfulfillment of the popular demands. A memorandum was also sent to the President, through the State Governor.
The rally was presided over by Party's CC member Prabhat Kumar while CC member and incharge of Uttarakhand Rajendra Pratholi spoke as the main guest. Uttarakhand Leading Team incharge Raja Bahuguna was the main speaker. Com. Raja reminded the audience of present Chief Minister ND Tiwary's role during the separate Uttarakhand movement when he had staunchly opposed the movement for the separate state. Such a person now in the CM's chair, definitely goes against the wishes of the movemental forces in the state. Previously BJP had distorted the very concept of a hill state by altering its geographical boundries and not making the Gairsain its capital as demanded by the people. He appealed to all left and democratic forces in the state to unite against the politics of Congress and the BJP to provide a strong and viable alternative in the polity of the state, simultaneously criticizing those organisations and parties who are still unable to shed their inclinations towards Congress as well as those following anarchist thinking of abstaining from the elections and ultimately helping this or that bourgeois alliance.
The state government's attempts to harass CPI(ML) leaders in the name of Maoism as well as local media's deliberate portrayal of Mao and Naxalism as anti-national was also vehemently condemned in the rally.
Rajendra Pratholi, addressing as the Chief Guest, said that ruling Congress is following the same economic policies which were implemented by the last NDA govt. in the centre and this fact explicitly exposes the nasty alliances among ruling class parties. In his presidential speech Comrade Prabhat Kumar said that it is the manifestation of the Centre's policies in Uttarankhand too that the democratic space is shrinking and attacks on democratic institutions are increasing. But it is also true that people are rising against the repressive policies of the state and we must strive to strengthen the nationwide people's resistance by joining different movements and forces all over, including Uttarakhand.
The rally was also addressed by CPI(ML) State Committee members Kailash Pandey, Girija Pathak, Purushottam Sharma, KK Bora, Bahadur Singh Jangi and AIALA Secretary Sanjay Sharma. AISA State President Indresh Maikhury conducted the meeting.
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Against sudden closure of Indo Glass Factory in Bhurkunda, Hazaribagh, rendering 1400 workers jobless, CPI(ML) Hazaribagh district committee has launched militant and sustained movement. Starting with protest march and burning effigies of Jharkhand Chief Minister and Factory owners on Oct 30 and torch light procession on Oct 31 in Hazaribagh, a bandh was organised on Nov 1. It was widely supported by the people including spontaneous support in the coal belt. On Nov 5 protest meeting was organised at Factory gate which was addressed by CPI(ML) MLA Mahendra Singh and State Secretary Subhendu Sen. Massive exposure campaign has been launched against anti-worker role of Congress MP and INTUC leader Chandrasekhar Dubey alias Dadai Dubey. The entire campaign has been led by AICCTU State Secretary Tarun Sarkar, CPI(ML) district Secretary Devaki Nandan Bedia and Party State Committee member Hira Gope.
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Second conference of Gumla-Lohardaga-Ranchi Joint District Committee took place on Nov 7 in Anagarha, dedicated to the memory of martyr Lakhi Charan Satkarmkar. Conference was inaugurated by Polit Bureau member Comrade Swadesh Bhattacharya. Comrade Anant Prasad Gupta was reelected Secretary of the 15 member newly elected joint-DC. It was resolved to intensify mass campaign for building left alternative against disastrous BJP rule and UPA govt's betrayal against the people and make December 2 State level 'Vikalp Rally' a grand success.
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To press upon the long-pending demand for a separate Board for Security Workers in Delhi, All India Central Council of Trade Unions organised a demonstration before the Chief Minister of Delhi, Shiela Dixit, on Nov. 8 and handed over a memorandum with ultimatum to adopt agitational measures in case the Board is not constituted immediately. This demonstration was led by AICCTU General Secretary Swapan Mukherjee and Secretary of Delhi Security Workers union Abhay Singh. The demand for social security benefits to security workers, strict implementation of labour laws, 20 percent bonus and pay structure similar to Delhi Police were also raised in the protest demo.
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A CPI(ML) delegation led by AIKSS leader Prem Singh Gahlawat visited Gharsana, where four farmers were killed in police firing during a dharna demanding water for irrigation in Indira Gandhi Canal. They also visited nearby Rawla and Anupgarh region for an on the spot investigation, to pay homage to those killed and express solidarity with the farmers' movement. The team has reported that owing to insufficient supply of water in the canal the farmers and agricultural labourers have reached at the verge of starvation. The state BJP government still is unwilling to resolve the crisis and continues to adopt terror tactics to intimidate the poor peasants. The wrong policies of the centre are also responsible for non-resolution of the crisis. Most of the farmers in Shriganganagar region were allotted lands in or after 1971, totally dependent on the canal for irrigation. Vested political interests of ruling parties, both Congress and the BJP, are solely responsible for the wrong policies which is being manifested in insufficient supply of water to farmers since 1998, leading to the present crisis and brutal killings of the innocent farmers in Gharsana.
It has been demanded to arrest and dismiss the officers responsible for firing, release of all arrested activists and lifting of curfew from the area, and immediate supply of water for irrigation.
Party held a dharna on Oct 28 at government hospital in Koderma to protest against untimely deaths of around 50 persons due to spreading malaria and encephalitis in Satgawan block of the district as well as the governmental negligence. Through the dharna, led by Com. Sunita, party incharge of Koderma Assembly constituency, a memorandum was submitted to the civil surgeon. It was also addressed by Ishwari Rana, Prem Prakash Paswan, Rajkumar Yadav and others. Speakers condemned the utter insensitivity of BJP government on such a serious issue and completely indifferent attitude of the State Health Department.
They alleged that the investigation teams of Health Department returned back without even entering into the affected villages. On Oct 25 effigy of State Chief Minister Arjun Munda was also burnt in protest.
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On Oct 11, an impressive 'Nyay March' (March for Justice) was organised in Giridih town holding BJP's state government responsible for starvation deaths and demanding to declare Jharkhand a famine-hit state, judicial inquiries into the false cases lodged against CPI(ML) leaders, cadres and the common people, dismissal of tainted police officers Deepak Verma, SP and Ashok Giri, the SHO, unconditional release of Comrades Sitaram Singh, Loknath Paswan and Jitendra Paswan, and stopping repression against people fighting against criminals. Rally, attended by around 7 thousand persons culminated in Jhanda Maidan where it was addressed by Com. Mahendra Singh, Raj Kumar Yadav and other leaders of the Party. Mahendra Singh presented above demands as agenda for the coming assembly elections, called upon the people to intensify struggle for democracy, and ensure even bigger and more militant mobilisations of the masses on this agenda.
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