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DECEMBER 6
Jaswant Singh, Mahajan, Jagmohan sworn in
As expected, Singh got the external affairs portfolio. Mahajan got information and broadcasting while Jagmohan was allotted communication.
Lok Shakti, Samata unhappy
It would have been better if the PM had waited till the end of the current session of Parliament to expand the Cabinet, Lok Shakti spokesman M Raghupathy said.
Sushma's big mouth cost her a Cabinet berth
"Any party dispute is an internal matter," a senior BJP office-bearer and member of Parliament told Rediff On The NeT. "But thanks to her, an internal matter is now known to the entire nation."
PM denounces attacks on Christians,
denies BJP hand
Vajpayee said the government had taken note of Friday's protests by the community and promised that the anti-social elements responsible for atrocities against it would be punished by law.
7,500 held in TN on eve of Babri Masjid demolition anniversary
Nearly 100,000 police and other security personnel have been kept ready. Permission was denied to the Tamilnadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam to stage a protest rally in Madurai, following which it has threatened to demonstrate outside Chief Minister Karunanidhi's house.
THE REDIFF SPECIALS
Once again it's December 6, a Sunday, and there is Kalyan Singh in Lucknow
Ramchandra Paramhans and Haji Mohamed Hashim, the two litigants who have been on opposing sides of the Ayodhya dispute since 1949, are the best of friends even now. "My son drives Paramhans's personal car," says Hashim, while Paramhans admits, "I must have a cup of tea with Hashim whenever I go to his house."
The Anti Christs
'There is a kind of fear among Christians that was not there 50 years ago.' James Massey says cautiously. 'A growing number of cases are being reported from Rajasthan, Punjab, Bihar, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and even states like Tamil Nadu. There is uncertainty: a feeling that anything can happen. There is for the first time the threat of physical violence.'
OTHER REPORTS
RSS issues guidelines to 'cleanse' govt
The Sangh's review has not blamed Vajpayee or Thakre for the poll debacle, stating that the main reasons are the government's poor performance and fighting in the party. Sources said it has praised M M Joshi who had taken up the project of 'Indianising, spiritualising and nationalising' education.
'Misled' Vajpayee's fury costs UP minister dear
Minister of State for Basic Education Ravindra Shukla has been sacked for his 'irresponsible behaviour' in 'misleading' the PM and the chief minister on the question of making Vande Mataram mandatory in government-run schools. The state government also rescinded the controversial order.
Pro-Jharkhand parties to intensify stir
They have told their supporters to go ahead with the non-co-operation movement against the Centre and the Bihar government whom they hold "equally responsible" for the delay in creation of the state.
Gehlot inducts 31 ministers in 2-tier council
Eighteen of the ministers will have Cabinet rank. Gehlot has made room in the government for all the important functionaries of the Rajasthan Congress.
Jaya lauds Sonia, asks PM to introduce women's quota bill
The AIADMK chief suggested a way out of the impasse: draft a new bill to increase the number of seats in the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and state legislatures by one-third of their present strengths and reserve the new seats for women.
Malta boat tragedy sufferers meet Italian president, PM
The delegation also met Italian officials and presented a comprehensive report on the accident, which led to the drowning of about 280 illegal immigrants, mostly from India.
Sharief's linkage of CTBT with Kashmir seen as political posturing
''Mr Sharief is a leader and a leader had to keep his eyes on things of greatest importance to his country. We were not surprised that he had raised those issues,'' said Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Karl Inderfurth.
Clinton urges India, Pak to continue talks
In a joint statement issued in Washington last night at the end of the Pakistani PM's visit, Clinton reiterated his support for the negotiations and his hope that they will bring results.
India Caucus leader lauds Clinton's hands-off policy on Kashmir
US Congressional Caucus on India co-chairman Gary L Ackerman praised the President for declining to get involved in the dispute, despite pressure from the visiting Pakistani prime minister.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
In peril: Elephanta
'Is there something in our collective psyche that impels us to degrade our environment -- whether it is natural or man-made,' asks Darryl D'Monte.
Assam: Road blockade hurts Tripura, Mizoram
Assam: CM Mahanta survives no-trust move
DECEMBER 5
Vajpayee to expand his Cabinet on Saturday
The names doing the rounds are Jaswant Singh, Pramod Mahajan, and Jagmohan. There is also the possibility of Sushma Swaraj returning to the team.
Only lunatics can indulge in such activities, PM tells protesting Christians
Vajpayee said he shares the agony of the community at the incidents of violence against it and assured it of full protection.
Government, on the mat, agrees to tighten Essential Commodities Act
Food Minister Surjit Singh Barnala's pledge saved the government from certain loss of face. Till then the entire opposition was refusing to budge from the demand for a division on a motion relating to the act. And the treasury benches were outnumbered, with many ruling coalition MPs absent.
THE FIRE CONTROVERSY
Storm follows Fire, Chief Justice petitioned against Manohar Joshi's pat for vandalism
Said Javed Akhtar, "The chief minister, who is supposed to be the guardian of the state's law and order, is congratulating the protestors. Whether this issue will be sorted out legally is for the producer to decide, but we, who are concerned citizens, have sent a plea to the Supreme Court Chief Justice against such behaviour."
I&B minister asks censors to watch Fire again
The Delhi police have arrested the city Shiv Sena president and joint secretary in connection with the attack on a cinema hall screening the film.
The fire spreads to Surat
Bajrang Dal activists barged into the Raj Palace theatre and forcibly stopped the screening of Deepa Mehta's controversial film.
THE REDIFF SPECIAL
Expose the Hindu Taliban
'As a gay activist, journalist, and observer of the social scene, I have always taken a stand that we must allow everything to be published and be damned, if need be, in the bargain. Gods, prophets, holy cows, everything must be analysed, dissected, and exposed for what it is: a product of human creativity and thought.' Ashok Row Kavi on the Shiv Sena's Fire-fighting tactics.
THE REDIFF INTERVIEW
'Shabana Azmi's membership of the Rajya Sabha should be revoked'
"Those are all college kids who are sneaking in to see the film. This film will spoil the new generation and fill their minds with vile thoughts and ideas and they will get exposed to such ideas like lesbianism and homosexuality. What will happen to society then?" Sudha Churi, head of the Shiv Sena Mahila Aghadi, fumes about a film she has only heard about.
OTHER REPORTS
Sharief links CTBT to resolution of Kashmir...
"Pakistan supports the CTBT, but we cannot sign the CTBT in an atmosphere of coercion and pressure," he said, harping again on the 50-year-old Security Council resolutions on the dispute.
...still hopeful of Clinton's intervention
In what appeared to be a desperate attempt to bolster the sagging interest in the dispute on Capitol Hill, the Pakistani PM employed shockspeak: "Kashmir is the greatest issue on the UN agenda. The risk of a nuclear conflict is real."
Delhi-Lahore buses may begin plying in Jan
The agreement initialled by the Indian and Pakistani teams in Islamabad today provides a framework and operational mechanism for the service.
Sharief has little to show from US visit
While Washington remained cool towards his overtures, Pakistani and Pakistani-American protestors shadowed him around Washington, waving placards describing him as the ''crime minister of Pakistan".
Idol minds lead to smuggler's paradise
CBI and ASI officials who have extensively probed the theft of idols and antiques from temples, churches, gurdwaras and mosques say it is time the government enacted new archaeological laws to protect places of worship.
TN, Kerala governments brace for Dec 6
Nearly 2,000 persons have been taken into preventive custody in the volatile southern districts of Tamil Nadu. And the Kerala government has ordered the police to take 'strong action' against anyone trying to incite violence.
SC puts off Laloo, Mishra's bail plea to Dec 18
The court also adjourned the hearing of an application complaining of preferential treatment to the two former CMs in jail.
We are ready for mid-term poll, says Sonia
Meanwhile, the RLM went on the offensive against the Congress, calling it the Bharatiya Janata Party's 'B-team'.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
Reprieve for Vajpayee
'The Mahabharat is between the Pandavas of the Congress and the Kauravas of the BJP. The politics of the last decade of the 20th century is giving way to the new politics of the next century. That, more than the temporary rise and fall of individual political fortunes, is the enduring lesson to be learned from the recent election,' says Mani Shankar Aiyar.
Six months more of hemming and hawing, and the BJP can bid farewell to power!
'In the immediate future, the BJP must play a waiting game. With an eye on the long term, however, it cannot afford any more misgovernment,' says
T V R Shenoy.
Andhra Pradesh: Cops kill 13 Naxals in encounters
Gujarat: Kasundra, another minister from Saurashtra, dies
Jammu & Kashmir: Schoolmaster among 2 killed
Maharashtra: 5 held for Bombay building mishap
THE WEATHER
Nights in the North become cooler
Night temperatures were below normal in Kashmir, Orissa, parts of Saurashtra, Kutch, the Bihar plateau, Punjab, east Rajasthan, east Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat region, north-central Maharashtra, Vidarbha and north interior Karnataka.
DECEMBER 4
Cornered Vajpayee faces minority upsurge
While the Christians and Muslims are set for a showdown with the government, many of the BJP's own coalition partners are going to find it difficult to stand by it.
Opposition blasts government for failing to protect minorities
Noisy scenes were witnessed in the Lok Sabha when BSP member Arif Mohammed Khan displayed a copy of the Bible burnt by the Sangh Parivar in Rajkot, Gujarat.
Conversions will continue, says Christian group
The Gujarat government has threatened educational institutions joining the all-India 'protest day' tomorrow with curtailment of grants.
VHP ups the ante in Mathura, too
Security has been tightened at the Krishna Janmasthan in view of the VHP's decision to perform Giri Goverdhan Parikrama there on December 6. The Idgah Committee has said it has no objection to the parikrama, but will oppose all attempts to 'liberate' the shrines.
Tension prevails in Bababudangiri
Some miscreants indulged in stone-throwing even as thousands of Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists offered prayers at the cave shrine in Karnataka.
Advani announces steps to protect Sufi shrine
The Union home minister said the shrine, which is under the control of the religious and charitable endowments department of the state government, is a unique example of Hindu-Muslim harmony.
THE ELECTIONS
Congress revival puts RLM's future in doubt
RJD spokesman Shahid Mazdoor acknowledged that the RLM's future hinges on Mulayam Singh's success in keeping his Muslim vote bank in Uttar Pradesh intact. Moreover, he said that unlike the Samajwadi Party, the RJD would have no problem supporting the Congress if the situation so demands.
Sonia to convene AICC on December 18
The CWC did not discuss the latest political developments. It discussed the report of the committee headed by K Karunakaran on amending the party constitution. But even that deliberation remained inconclusive.
Shiela Dikshit sworn in as Delhi chief minister
She heads a seven-member Cabinet. The other ministers are Mahender Singh Saathi, Dr A K Walia, Dr Narendra Nath, Professor Yoganand Shastri, Parvez Hashmi, and Krishna Tirath.
Zoramthanga sworn in as Mizoram CM
Governor A Padmanabhan administered the oath of office and secrecy to Zoramthanga and his ministers, 10 of Cabinet rank and four ministers of state.
CPI-M to support Congress on issues
The Marxists have demanded the immediate resignation of the BJP-led government at the Centre, saying it has lost its moral right to continue in office after its rout in the assembly elections.
OTHER REPORTS
Shiv Sainiks strike in Delhi, extinguish Fire
A day after Shiv Sainiks attacked two theatres in Bombay which were showing the movie, a mob ransacked Regal cinema in New Delhi, where the award-winning film was being screened.
India, Pak resume talks on Delhi-Lahore bus
The main issues confronting the two sides are to identify the route and the frequency of buses to be operated on it. They will also decide the fares.
Vajpayee says Indo-Pak talks were useful
The PM told the Rajya Sabha that after the Pokhran nuclear tests, there was greater awareness in Pakistan that all outstanding issues could only be resolved through bilateral negotiations.
Naxalites jump on the Jharkhand bandwagon
Leaders of two mass organisations affiliated to the outlawed People's War announced a people's movement against the alleged betrayal by the BJP-led government at the Centre.
Kanshiram spurns BJP's overtures in UP
Stung by the reverses in the assembly elections, the BJP opened a channel of communication with former Uttar Pradesh CM Mayawati, offering to revive the tie-up with her party, but BSP chief Kanshiram rejected the move out of hand.
Sharief fails to get US to mediate in Kashmir
"The US can be effective in that role only when both parties want us to do so... Otherwise, it does not work," said President Bill Clinton before he met the Pakistani PM.
THE REDIFF INTERVIEW
"We cannot stop anyone (AIADMK) from supporting a government. Our support is only to the Congress... Where's the contradiction?"
"The political situation of the past few years has thrown up curious situations. Take the Left. They are opposed to the Congress in Kerala and West Bengal, but are yet willing to support the party at the Centre." TMC bigwig M Arunachalam on his party's options in the emerging political soap opera.
THE REDIFF COLUMNIST
Soniamev Jayate
"The BJP went on a hey-we're-cool-just-like-the-
other-guys spree -- when it wasn't bickering over trivialities. They just can't seem to grasp that the need of the hour is to channel resources towards not WHAT children will learn, but HOW MANY of them will learn anything at all!" says Varsha Bhosle.
THE REDIFF SPECIAL
A Fatwa against the Idea of India
'The champions of the fatwa against Vande Mataram represent those who delight in denigrating Indian nationhood and pouring scorn and abuse on the soul of this nation,' says Kanchan Gupta.
Maharashtra: 9 killed as Kurla-Howrah Express derails
Maharashtra: 12 killed in
Bombay building mishap
Punjab: Government to build hospital in memory of rail mishap victims
THE WEATHER
Below normal in Kashmir, above in Himachal
Night temperatures were appreciably below normal in Kashmir, south-west Rajasthan, and parts of the Bihar plains, north Gujarat region, and north-central Maharashtra. But they were markedly above normal in Himachal Pradesh, north-west Rajasthan and parts of Marathwada.
DECEMBER 3
THE ELECTIONS
Vajpayee prepares to woo Jaya
The plan: to ask the central investigating agencies to go soft on the various economic charges pending against the AIADMK chief.
Victorious Sonia plans foray into TN
Gandhi's visit will be a message to both the TMC and the AIADMK that the Congress would like to bargain with either, if it came to that, from a position of comparative strength.
AIADMK denies Jaya is meeting Sonia
A party statement termed as incorrect the reports that Jayalalitha would discuss "some issues" with the Congress chief.
Dikshit to be sworn in on Thursday
Other members of her council of ministers are also expected to be sworn in the same day.
Digvijay Singh, a reliable performer
He proved all the doomsday prophets wrong and is now heading his second government in Madhya Pradesh.
THE REDIFF ELECTION INTERVIEW
'To rule out the Third Front would be
a grave misjudgement'
"The price rise was very much a factor in these elections. It is not for nothing that the BJP is known as a party of traders and hoarders. The artificially created shortages of edible oil and vegetables, especially onions, has shown what the BJP is all about." Samajwadi Party leader Ramgopal Yadav on his party's interpretation of the election results.
OTHER REPORTS
Congress raises the ante on new states
In Raipur, an effigy of the PM was burnt and cutouts erected by a BJP legislator were disfigured after the Centre announced that the Chhattisgarh Statehood Bill is not on its priority list for the winter session of Parliament.
Pro-Jharkhand forces threaten to cut off region
The pro-Jharkhand parties have threatened to "delink the region from the rest of the country" if the legislation seeking the creation of Jharkhand is not tabled in the current session of Parliament.
Akali Dal puts the brakes on Uttaranchal bill
Gurcharan Singh Tohra has sought more time to provide more details on why Udham Singh Nagar should be kept out of the proposed hill state.
Opposition blasts BJP 'plan' to 'liberate' Sufi shrine in Karnataka
The Vajpayee government is encouraging rath yatras by the BJP and its frontal organisations to liberate the Bababudangiri shrine, the opposition said in the Lok Sabha today.
Sena activists disrupt Fire as CM applauds
Manohar Joshi congratulated the protesters, saying whatever was depicted in the film "is against our culture and I am personally against such form of art".
69 TN Dalits held for attack on policemen
Thirty-four women were among those arrested in connection with Monday's attack on a police party at Ogalur village in Perambalur district.
Comments about Kanchi seers incense people
Even non-Hindus felt Chief Minister Karunanidhi was over-reacting -- when he opposed the seers' presence at a railway function -- and trying to garner political mileage.
Court refuses to monitor inquiry into murder of JMM leader's secretary
The Delhi high court declined to monitor any further the CBI inquiry into the 'abduction and murder' of Shibu Soren's secretary, after the agency filed its final status report saying it had indicted seven persons and is investigating several others.
Muslim front activists arrested
on eve of Babri anniversary
The Madras police arrested Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam leader P Zainul Abideen as part of the preventive measures in view of the sixth anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition on December 6.
Fifth CBI witness in JMM bribery case
turns hostile
Dwarkanath, who was accounts officer in Karnataka Breweries and Distilleries Private Limited, told the trial court that he had never told the CBI that he had withdrawn Rs 3 million from the bank at his employer's instance on July 30, 1993.
Centre for judicial probe into Punjab rail mishap
While the cause of the accident will be established after the chief commissioner of railway safety submits his inquiry report, the derailment was caused, prima facie, by failure of material, Railway Minister Nitish Kumar told the Lok Sabha.
Court admits plea seeking CBI probe into peacock and buck meal
The Union and Andhra Pradesh governments have been told to file their counters by December 16.
Three killed, 15 hurt in Delhi house collapse
The municipal corporation has ordered an inquiry into the collapse of the four-storey building that came up in three days.
SSP to go it alone at the assembly elections
The opposition has geared up after the Sikkim chief minister expressed his willingness to hold snap polls six months ahead of schedule.
Agitators protest against publicity for
liquor at Sabarimala
Vijay Mallya's effort to get publicity for his company's brands after making an offering to the Ayyappa temple in Kerala has run into trouble with some groups threatening to launch an agitation.
US at last finds a buyer for Pak F-16s
Pakistan had paid some $650 million for 28 of 60 F-16 fighters it had ordered when the Pressler Amendment was triggered in 1990. Now, when Nawaz Sharief is in Washington, New Zealand has agreed to buy them for $105 million.
Colombo police arrest LTTE top gun
The police arrested the deputy leader of the Sea Tiger brigade, Arunambalam, the LTTE's intelligence wing chief in Uduppili, Saumaya alias Wanitha, and two other hardcore cadres.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
The BJP needs to shed its groping and goofing and come down to brass tacks
'To say that India is headed for a long period of flux and fluidity would be an understatement, especially because even a mid-term poll is unlikely to yield a truly cohesive and clear-cut majority rule. The situation is truly a massive challenge to the staying power of the BJP,' says Arvind Lavakare.
An election lost for the flimsiest of reasons
'The BJP faithful don't really give a damn about "subjects that affect the common people". For as long as I've been conscious of the BJP and its family, the issues they have pumped themselves up about have been a laundry-list of the absolute lowest priorities that face India,' says Dilip D'Souza.
Ring in the new
Brajesh Mishra will be given an ambassador's hat and packed off to distant climes -- the main objective being to bring in some live-wire IAS official as principal secretary to the prime minister. Capital Buzz. Gossip from the Delhi Durbar.
Gujarat: Ahmedabad's name to stay, for now
Orissa: BJD splits, speaker recognises both factions
Where you have half the year off
Haryana government employees can enjoy a holiday every alternate day in 1999.
THE WEATHER
Night temperatures dip radically in Gujarat, Rajasthan
Night temperatures were appreciably below normal in south-west Rajasthan, south-east Madhya Pradesh, Kutch and parts of Gujarat region. They were below normal in some parts of Orissa and Punjab.
DECEMBER 2
THE ELECTIONS
Digvijay Singh takes over as Madhya Pradesh CM
An engineer-turned politician, 51-year-old Digvijay Singh is
the 25th chief minister to lead the country's largest state.
Gehlot promises white paper on Rajasthan's economy
The new Rajasthan chief minister said the bureaucracy had
also been directed to take
effective and appropriate action against hoarders and black
marketeers in order to contain prices.
No going back on promise on new states, says Congress
Congress spokesperson Ajit Jogi also reiterated that his party
will not move a no-confidence motion against the Vajpayee government.
1998 has been a roller-coaster year for Shiela Dikshit
Earlier this year, she had lost the parliamentary elections from
East Delhi, and the end of the year sees her installed as the new Delhi CM.
Jaya denies holding Vajpayee government to ransom
The AIADMK leader denied media reports that she had served an ultimatum on the Centre to dismiss the Tamil Nadu government, that her emissary had met the President to ask him to ignore the BJP government's recommendation to dissolve the Lok Sabha, and that she was making desperate overtures to Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
PMK reiterates unconditional support to Vajpayee
Dr S Ramadoss termed as 'unwarranted', the demand by some opposition parties
in Parliament for the resignation of the Vajpayee government
following the BJP's defeat in the recent assembly elections in four
northern states. No government at the Centre should resign if the
ruling party was defeated in assembly elections, he added.
Shekhawat was Rajasthan's only non-Congress CM
In tenures that have spanned decades to those
that lasted a mere two weeks, chief ministers of Rajasthan have had
varied innings. The late Mohanlal Sukhadia had the distinction of holding the
post for the longest period of 17 years, while
Congress leader Heera Lal Deopura was in office for
just a fortnight.
OTHER REPORTS
Coalition reaffirms commitment to Vajpayee government
"All designs to artificially destabilise the government by creating uncertainty or spreading false alarms do not subserve national interests. This will be defeated,'' co-ordination committee convenor George Fernandes said
Vananchal, Uttaranchal and Chhatisgarh not a priority, Khurana tells Parliament
Also put on the backburner is the Insurance Regulatory Authority Bill, 1998. But all of these issues would be dealt with in the current session itself, he asserted
Congress assured of motion to elect deputy speaker
A notification is to be issued within next few days to set in motion the election for the post of deputy speaker
Three Bhutanese soldiers killed in ambush
Six other soldiers, including a brigadier of the Bhutan Royal Army, were injured in an ambush by unidentified extremists at Rangapani in Assam today
Prithvi to find naval platforms on Republic Day
Launching the Prithvi from ship was demanding since a ship was often an unstable platform but the project was proceeding according to schedule, says navy chief
RS seeks government response on rath yatra to Chikmagulur shrine
Issue raised after Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal plan to head for a Sufi shrine.
SC takes Centre to task over chaos on Delhi roads
Court asserts that no steps have been taken to implement various directions issued by the court to reduce vehicular pollution and improve traffic conditions
American Thanksgiving marked by mantras, Muslim prayers
Foreign students get together with American families on the occasion
Charges framed against Rao's kin, others in urea scam case
A Delhi court has framed charges against
Sanjeeva Rao, relative of former prime minister P V Narasimha Rao,
Prakash Chandra Yadav, son of former fertilisers minister Ram Lakhan
Singh Yadav, and six others in the Rs 1.33 billion urea scam case.
CBI gives Kesri clean chit in corruption case
In an affidavit filed before a division bench of the Delhi high
court, the CBI said no case was made out against Kesri for
allegedly acquiring wealth and no evidence, oral or documentary, was
available to substantiate the bribery allegations.
No clues still to 'raid' on Muslim scholar's house
Even as the state government ordered a high level probe into
the 'raid' on Ali Mian's ancestral home and three IPS officers of the rank
of director general of police have been detailed to
personally carry out the investigations, the incident has
left everyone puzzled and clueless.
THE REDIFF ELECTION SPECIAL
Waiting for Chhatisgarh
The way the BJP and Congress are going about it, you would
think carving out a new state is the easiest thing in the
world. Rhetorical speeches are supplemented by similar
action -- like Digvijay Singh's order to the Raipur PWD to
submit blueprints of offices for the new government -- and
nothing else. Chindu Sreedharan looks at a politically
significant region of Madhya Pradesh still to get its due.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
Way to go, Sonia!
'The biggest fallacy that has met its Waterloo concerns Sonia Gandhi, who has finally, thanks some savvy decisions, sealed her place as the Congress president. What particularly impresses me about her is that she has refused to be swept away by all the euphoria surrounding her,' says Saisuresh Sivaswamy.
Lessons for the Loser
'Vajpayee's government, alas, is made up of too many dead bodies. People who have made no impact. People who are not capable of making any impact even if you keep them on their jobs for the next hundred years. If the BJP is to regain its credibility, its old magic, it must swiftly put in place a new A team that can change its image,' feels Pritish Nandy.
THE WEATHER
Rain or snow likely in Kashmir
Rain or thundershowers are also likely to occur at a few places in the Andaman and Nicobar islands and Tamil Nadu and at isolated places in coastal Andhra Pradesh
DECEMBER 01
THE ELECTIONS
Dikshit elected Delhi CLP chief
She was the unanimous choice for the post, according to Congress leader Arjun Singh
Sonia picks Gehlot as Rajasthan CM
Rajasthan Congress chief Ashok Gehlot, who led the party to an incredible victory in the assembly elections, has been chosen by party president Sonia Gandhi to head the Congress legislature party, which makes him the new chief minister. Gehlot, who did not contest the recent assembly elections, is a member of Parliament.
Digvijay Singh front-runner for MP CM's post
Notwithstanding reported statements by some leaders that there would be no ''automatic choice'' for leadership of the CLP, state Congress committee sources said Digvijay Singh would be the ''natural choice'' to head the next Congress government.
Zoramthanga elected leader of MNF-MPC
Mizo National Front president Zoramthanga was unanimously elected on Monday as leader of the United Legislature Party, while Mizoram People's Conference working president Lalhmingthanga was elected as his deputy.
Congress decides against adjournment move
The Congress parliamentary affairs ministry has decided not to move an adjournment motion on the price rise of essential commodities but, instead, plans to seek a special discussion on the issue in the Lok Sabha.
Congress put up new faces in MP, reaped benefit
The Congress put up 62 new faces in the constituencies it held and 40 of them won. With that, the BJP's gambit of retaining most sitting MLAs has clearly backfired.
Central government needn't quit: Karunanidhi
The Tamil Nadu chief minister said pressure from coalition partners, a communal agenda and rising prices led to the party's rout in the elections.
BJP's allies stand by Vajpayee
The allies assured the government of their support at a meeting with the prime minister. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madanlal Khurana said it was also attended by representatives of the All India Anna DMK.
Rabri demands Vajpayee's resignation
The Bihar chief minister wants the prime minister to quit, owning moral responsibility for the poll debacle.
Congress wins boost its chances in Manipur
Realignment likely in state politics, says former chief minister Rishang Keishing
THE REDIFF ELECTION SPECIAL
For the man on Bhopal's street, voting Congress is an old habit that dies hard
While two former chief ministers belonging to the BJP could not fathom why they lost in Madhya Pradesh, for the people who voted for the Congress, the reason is simple. Aadat se majboor hain, they say simply.
THE REDIFF ELECTION INTERVIEW
'We are going to stop all this hoarding'
'There are specifics in the administration that we need to touch. The collapse of the whole system of civic amenities is one. Water, cleanliness, electricity... We have to touch all these issues that are concerning the people of Delhi.' Shiela Dikshit, who showed the BJP its place in the capital, on how the new government will differ from the outgoing one.
OTHER REPORTS
Manmohan Singh leads opposition walkout from RS
Agitated members rose from their seats while Commerce Minister Ramakrishna Hegde was giving clarifications on the price rise issue, and charged him with misleading the house and giving false excuses 'on such a sensitive issue concerning the common man', before following the former finance minister out.
Lok Sabha adjourned for the day
No business was transacted amid uproar following protests by the Rashtriya Loktantrik Morcha members, who demanded the resignation of the Vajpayee government on the issues of rising prices and its alleged failure on other fronts.
Faleiro government wins trust vote
Though Governor Lt Gen (retd) J F R Jacob, had given the Goa chief minister 21 days to prove his majority, Faleiro chose to seek a vote of confidence in his government as early as possible, to avoid horse-trading and put an end to growing political uncertainty in the state.
Prabhakara Rao arrested in urea case
Narasimha Rao's son arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the multi-million rupee urea scam.
HC allows Delhi businessman to reclaim copter without paying dues
Chief metropolitan magistrate R K Gauba had directed Suresh Rao to pay the amount every month for a period of 12 months after he was permitted to use the helicopter for commercial purposes. This was one of the 16 conditions for handing over possession of the helicopter to Rao that has now been waived.
BSF arrests Pak spy on Kutch border
The Border Security Force arrested a Pakistani spy, Amba Hira Koli, wanted by the Kutch police since August this year, near Kala Dungar on the northern Indo-Pakistani borders in Kutch district.
Mock hijack has Jet Airways passengers worried
The 36 passengers aboard the aircraft that was "hijacked" and parked in a corner of the Gopinath Bordoloi airport at Guwahati, however, heaved a sigh of relief when they learnt it was all part of a three-hour mock exercise. Officials said passengers are usually not informed in advance about the conduct of such an exercise.
Kalam calls for national movement for developed India
Dr A P J Abdul Kalam has appealed to the people, particularly the youth, to launch a national movement for a developed India.
THE REDIFF COLUMNIST
Ayodhya: it's about power, not faith
'So long as 'secularists' have a leading voice in politics, there will be more Ayodhyas. They are the problem, not the solution, for they, hoodwinked by nihilist Stalinist theology, do not understand the importance of religion,' says Rajeev Srinivasan.
Assam: ULFA claims responsibility for blasting oil pipeline
Assam: No-confidence motion against AGP coalition
Karnataka: Govt to take over Mysore palace
THE WEATHER
Cold nights in Gujarat, Goa
Night temperatures were also below normal in parts of Punjab, Kashmir, east Madhya Pradesh, Saurashtra, Kutch and north interior Karnataka.
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