States Focus

AIKS warns India-US trade talks may hurt farmers

The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) on Saturday warned that the ongoing India-US trade negotiations could open the farm sector to imports and hurt domestic cultivators. 

It renewed demands for a legal Minimum Support Price (MSP) guarantee, loan waivers and safeguards against land acquisition. Addressing the AIKS 90th anniversary event, senior CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat said the AIKS had grown into the country’s largest farmers’ organisation and had played a historic role from the freedom movement onwards, mobilising peasants against British colonial rule and feudal forces. “From the freedom struggle onwards, the Kisan Sabha has consistently raised the basic issues of farmers — land, remunerative prices and debt relief,” he said.

LDF set to retain power in Kerala, says Prakash Karat

Veteran CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat on Saturday expressed confidence that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) would retain power in Kerala, saying early reports from the polling process indicated a favourable outcome for the alliance. Asked about the recently held Assembly polls in the State, Karat expressed optimism. “Kerala polling has been over, and all the reports indicate that the LDF has done well, and we expect the LDF Government to come back,” Karat said. Polling for the single-phase Kerala Legislative Assembly election was held on April 9 after an intense and closely fought campaign between the CPI(M)-led LDF and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), with both sides engaging in a high-decibel contest across the State.

ECI replaces TN Home Secretary Dheeraj Kumar

The ECI on Saturday ordered the transfer of Tamil Nadu Home Secretary Dheeraj Kumar and appointed K Manivasan in his place. The 1993 batch IAS officer Manivasan has been directed to join immediately. Further, the release from the Election Commission of India said Kumar should not be posted in any election-related posts till the completion of elections.

Earlier, the ECI ordered the transfer of Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary N Muruganandam and appointed senior IAS officer M Sai Kumar in his place. Similarly, the ECI ordered the transfer of Greater Chennai Police Commissioner AArun, replacing him with the 1997 batch IPS officer Abhin Dinesh.

Phule's struggle showed path to equality: Rahul

Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi on Saturday paid tributes to social reformer Jyotirao Phule on his 199th birth anniversary and said his struggle against discrimination and inequality showed the nation the path towards equality and justice. Phule was born on April 11, 1827, in Maharashtra and died on November 28, 1890.

"On the birth anniversary of the great social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phuleji, I offer my humble salutations to him. “He dedicated his entire life to protecting the rights and entitlements of the marginalised. His struggle against discrimination and inequality showed the nation the path to equality and justice,” Gandhi said in a post on X.