Opinion 40 years ago, December 17, 1985: Record turnout in Assam
Heavy polling for the 125 assembly and 14 Lok Sabha seats in Assam and moderate turnout in the seven Lok Sabha and nine assembly by-elections was reported.
Reports from Guwahati said 75 to 80 per cent of the 10 million voters exercised their franchise, in contrast to the 1983 polls, which not only had extremely low voter turnout but were also marked by violence. Heavy polling for the 125 assembly and 14 Lok Sabha seats in Assam and moderate turnout in the seven Lok Sabha and nine assembly by-elections was reported. Reports from Guwahati said 75 to 80 per cent of the 10 million voters exercised their franchise, in contrast to the 1983 polls, which not only had extremely low voter turnout but were also marked by violence.
Bhajan Lal holds his ground
The Chief Minister, Bhajan Lal, said that Haryana would not be bound by any decision under the Punjab accord till the Satluj-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal was completed. In a major development, indicating the adoption of a tough posture on the stoppage of work on the canal for three months now, the Haryana CM told a news conference that the state government would not agree to any transfer of territory, including Chandigarh, to Punjab, till the canal was completed.
Parliament office row
The dispute between the opposition parties and the Congress (I) over the eviction of three parties from their offices in Parliament House last week came close to a settlement after a third round of talks between the two sides. Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K L Bhagat offered Room 125 on the third floor to the opposition parties. Opposition leaders said they were prepared to accept the room as accommodation for the three displaced parties — Congress (S), DMK and Lok Dal — and not for all recognised parties which do not have office space in the building.
Gavaskar eyeing century
The former Indian captain, Sunil Gavaskar, is within sight of his 31st Test century at stumps on the fourth day of the first Test against Australia at Adelaide Oval. At stumps, Gavaskar was at 94 and Roger Binny 34 with India 391 for seven in its first innings. India now has a lead of 10 runs with a day to play.
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