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Mamata Banerjee’s political victory in the West Bengal elections is remarkably impressive. Here was a chief minister (CM) who successfully defied two-term anti-incumbency — and while there have been other CMs who have successfully returned to power for a third time (Narendra Modi is a prime example), Banerjee was facing the most formidable challenger in India’s political theatre.

India is in the midst of the world’s worst outbreak of Covid-19 cases. It is a dystopian nightmare. The new cases and death toll are continuously rising. The medical response is hampered by shortages of oxygen, drugs, and hospital beds. According to experts, “The significant inefficiency, dysfunction and acute shortage of healthcare delivery systems in the public sector do not meet the growing needs of the population.”

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Fleecing of patients is a dastardly deed even in normal times. But then, we are not living in normal times. The entire world is at war with a rampaging virus which is snuffing out precious lives through its macabre death dance. The war can only be won with the fullest cooperation of all the stakeholders. If a section of private hospitals think otherwise and do not scruple at overcharging Covid patients – a crime against humanity - then governments must step in to punish the merchants who trade on human misery.

China is more and more adopting a big-brotherly attitude toward its small neighbours, giving rise to both fear and resentment in them. On May 10, the Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh, Li Jiming, told a virtual meeting of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) that “Obviously it will not be a good idea for Bangladesh to participate in this small club four (meaning the Quad) because it will substantially damage our bilateral relationship.” In course of his speech, he branded the Quad as an “Asian NATO”.

Facing criticism after losing the Hartlepool by-election and control of eight councils, Britain’s local authorities, Labour leader Starmer is facing a challenge to his leadership not only by the Corbynites but even by some unattached Labour leaders.

The second wave, or rather a tsunami of Covid-19 as the Delhi High Court has observed, has knocked down India’s medical system. There are appalling reports of casualties due to a lack of medical facilities from all over the country. The paucity of drugs that Covid-infected patients need is a recurrent theme in the news. According to medical professionals, the current situation can improve if medicines are made available for all patients in adequate quantities.

LUCKNOW: The opposition is in an upbeat mood after panchayat results dealt BJP a humiliating defeat in its key districts.

As Covid continues to ravage the country and more and more areas coming under lock-down like restrictions, the automobile sector is worried about that the green shoots that had begun appearing may not survive for long. According to reports quoting a top BPCL official, fuel sales in April have plummeted, with the overall demand at the end of the month falling by 7 percent. Preliminary data released by state-owned retailers shows petrol sales were the lowest since August last year.

After days of speculation, finally, the BJP, which created a new record this time in Assam by returning to power for the second time consecutively, appointed Himanta Biswa Sarma as the new chief minister. Many saw this decision coming with the saffron party avoiding to declare then sitting chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal as the face during the elections.

Weeks have gone by since the disastrous second Covid-19 wave unfolded, but the Modi government refuses to realise the folly of its ways and rectify its policies.