The Akali Dal decided to contest elections in Punjab and authorised its president, Harchand Singh Longowal, to distribute tickets to the party candidates. Longowal said the party would contest all 117 assembly seats in the state. Asked if the Akali Dal would enter into a poll pact with other parties, he said, “Only time will tell.”
Lokpal Bill
The government rejected the strong opposition demand that the Prime Minister should also be brought under the purview of the Lokpal Bill, which the government wants to introduce in the current session. The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, H K L Bhagat, told the Opposition leaders during his second meeting with them that the government feels the institution of the Prime Minister is on a “unique footing” and has thus been excluded.
South Africa Riots
(By Arun Gandhi) That the burning of Mahatma Gandhi’s Phoenix Ashram and the racial riots that rocked Inanda district were engineered by the Government of South Africa is confirmed by the Ashram’s trustees. Mewa Ramgobin, chairman of the working committee that administers the Ashram, told me over the phone that the Ashram and the scores of Indian farmers in Inanda district were served with notices to quit six months ago. The government informed them that the entire area was required for the projected development of the Kwazulu homeland.
Saving Thimphu Talks
India is making special efforts to save the talks in Thimphu between Sri Lankan government representatives and Tamil organisations and has put forward some new ideas and proposals. Efforts were also being made to ensure the observance of the ceasefire.
