Opinion November 27, 1984, Forty Years Ago: Opposition’s last attempt at unity before Lok Sabha polls

This is the front page of The Indian Express published on November 27, 1984.

November 27, 2024 04:20 AM IST First published on: Nov 27, 2024 at 03:00 AM IST

Opposition Meet

HAVING FAILED TO bring about an overall adjustment of seats on a party-to-party basis, the major opposition parties decided to make a last attempt to reduce the possibility of triangular contests in as many constituencies as possible. The Dalit Mazdoor Kisan Party leaders from Uttar Pradesh met their counterparts of the Janata Party and the BJP. They agreed to hold bilateral talks on November 28.

Congress Reshuffles

FOLLOWING PRESSURE FROM influential faction leaders, the Congress (I) leadership changed its candidates in a large number of constituencies. However, in spite of the last-minute discussions with the contending leaders, the party has not yet been able to complete the list of states. With three names announced for Gujarat, the party leaders are struggling to patch up the differences between warring factions.

Report Correct: EC

THE CHIEF ELECTORAL Officer of Madhya Pradesh has told the Election Commission that The Indian Express report about the pre-poll largesse distributed by the state government to the voters was “factually correct”. The MP government announced an extension of the benefits enjoyed by Harijans and Adivasis, to the “backward castes”. The Election Commission had taken suo motu action following an Indian Express report on the doling out of gifts to different sections of the population.

Chavan’s Send-Off

FORMER DEPUTY PRIME Minister Y B Chavan’s body was flown to Bombay from Delhi by a special Indian Air Force aircraft. The cremation of the 71-year-old veteran Congress leader will take place at his hometown Karad in Satara district. The last rites changed in deference to the wishes of the people of Karad.