This is an archive article published on December 30, 2023

Opinion December 30, Forty Years Ago: Task for partymen

Fresh fighting broke out on two fronts with Lebanese army units coming under fire in the mountains overlooking Beirut and gunmen clashing in the capital’s southern suburbs.

Indira Gandhi,Indira Gandhi appeal, Gandhi’s presidential addres, 77th plenary session of Congress, Tihar jail, Supreme Court, charges of mismanagement, 40 years ago, indian express news

The shooting occurred as Lebanon’s feuding factions met for the second day to try to strengthen a ceasefire and the US and Soviet ambassadors met with Lebanese leaders.

By: Editorial

December 30, 2023 06:55 AM IST First published on: Dec 30, 2023 at 06:55 AM IST

Mounting a scathing attack on the Opposition for their various lapses, Congress (I) president Mrs Indira Gandhi appealed to her partymen to work “harder than possible” to gain the confidence of the people. Mrs Gandhi’s presidential address to the 77th plenary session of Congress stressed that only partymen could deliver goods to the nation, and for this they must go to “remote villages.”

Inmates, house help

The Tihar jail administration, recently under severe attack by the Supreme Court on charges of mismanagement, has contravened yet another regulation by making prisoners work in the homes of jail officials. Photographic evidence collected by this reporter proves that prisoners are being used as domestics, performing menial household duties for senior jail personnel. The photographs show that prisoners continue to be forced to work as servants by the jail staff.

Opposition unity

Yet another attempt at forging Opposition unity is likely to be made next week. Shaken up by the results of the recent by-elections for Lok Sabha and assembly seats from five states, the Lok Dal president, Charan Singh has revived his contacts with his former socialist colleagues, Rai Narain, George Fernandes and Biju Patnaik, who had left him to join the Janata Party.

Clashes in Lebanon

Fresh fighting broke out on two fronts with Lebanese army units coming under fire in the mountains overlooking Beirut and gunmen clashing in the capital’s southern suburbs. The shooting occurred as Lebanon’s feuding factions met for the second day to try to strengthen a ceasefire and the US and Soviet ambassadors met with Lebanese leaders.