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NOVEMBER 29
Congress on top, huge setback for BJP
The Congress won an absolute majority in Delhi and Rajasthan while holding its own in Madhya Pradesh. But Prime Minister Vajpayee claimed the results pose no threat to his coalition government.
BJP struggles to come to terms with rout
What shocked the leadership was not the rout in Delhi and Rajasthan, but in Madhya Pradesh. General secretary Narendra Modi said the party never expected the Chhattisgarh region "to behave in an erratic fashion".
CWC meeting tomorrow to decide next move
Calling the results a positive vote for the "pro-poor, pro-backward, pro-dalit policies of the Congress led by Sonia Gandhi", spokesperson Ambika Soni, however, repeated that the party would not destabilise the Vajpayee government.
Vajpayee calls on President
The PM also met BJP chief Kushabhau Thakre, Samata Party leader George Fernandes, Lok Shakti president Ramakrishna Hegde and Akali Dal leader Surjit Singh Barnala.
Knives are out as BJP plunges to worst defeat
As news of the debacle started coming in, Delhi CM Sushma Swaraj is learnt to have met the prime minister and requested him to take her back in the Union Cabinet.
'The BJP is a house on fire'
Swaraj finally shed her inhibitions about discussing the party's ills and conceded that squabbling within had resulted in the electoral setback.
Race in Congress for ministerial posts
At least three other chief ministerial aspirants are planning to write to Sonia Gandhi that a 'Delhi-ite' and not Shiela Dikshit should become chief minister.
Dikshit plans to clean up Delhi
With the Congress winning an absolute majority, Gandhi's decision to appoint Dikshit, who had all but retired from politics, as president of the Delhi unit has been vindicated.
Congress proclaims victory in the streets
The BJP headquarters in Jaipur was deserted but for a handful of local politicians. A tea vendor Babulal said: "You should have seen the show they put on five years ago. Today they are all hiding in shame."
We knew it, says Shekhawat
The Rajasthan CM said the Congress had faced this situation several times. "This time it was our turn."
Shekhawat, Sushma Swaraj quit
The first victims of the election fallout admitted defeat.
People are disenchanted with BJP: Jaya
The AIADMK chief will not attend Monday's co-ordination committee meeting of the BJP-led coalition in Delhi, but she refused to comment on the government's future.
Allies won't switch sides, says Barnala
The Senior Akali Dal politician said the election was not a referendum against the BJP-led coalition.
THE REDIFF ELECTION SPECIAL
BJP, Congress wrestle over prospects in MP
"Sarkar to hum hi banaenge," said an energetic Prabhat Jha, BJP spokesman, in between two telephone receivers stuck to his ears. On the other hand, the mood in the Congress HQ at Jawahar Bhavan was controlled, quietly confident.
THE REDIFF ELECTION INTERVIEW
'The Congress will not topple the government at the Centre'
"I gave tickets on the basis of the feedback I received on the candidate's popularity. I even gave tickets to people who were against me, and this won their confidence in my fairness". Jubilant Rajasthan Congress chief Ashok Gehlot explains why he anticipated this result.
OTHER REPORTS
American citizens warned about violence in TN
The United States administration has alerted its citizens in South India about potential violence from Al-Umma, the Muslim fundamentalist organisation.
31 more bodies identified in Punjab mishap
With this, 127 out of 210 bodies have been identified so far.
BJD crisis may be resolved soon
Senior Biju Janata Dal leader Ramkrushna Patnaik resigned as BJD Legislature Party leader. Observers felt this would pave the way for a rapprochement in the crisis-ridden party.
Sena-BJP tensions begin showing up
Contradictory stands on major policy decisions, particularly the upcoming Pakistani cricket team's tour, was evident at a meet-the-press in Bombay.
Assam: ULFA blows up pipeline, bridge, kills 7
Jammu and Kashmir: Three militants, constable among five killed in valley
NOVEMBER 28
Jaya loses her bargaining chip
With the Supreme Court clearing the AIADMK chief's prosecution, the day-to-day trial will be an embarrassment for her and her party. And the Congress will think twice before wanting to be seen in her company, at least for now.
THE ELECTIONS
AIADMK leader says Vajpayee government will not be destabilised
But Union Minister of State for Finance M R Janardhanam said there could be uneasy moments in Parliament because of the outcome of the elections in four states.
Results should be out by Saturday midnight
Counting of votes in the four states will be taken up on Saturday at 8am IST, the Election Commission said.
BJP parliamentary board to meet on Sunday
The apex decision-making body will review the party's performance in the assembly elections.
Congress moves to counter 'whispering campaign' against Sonia
The theme of the campaign is simple: the party as a whole, and not just any individual leader, should get the credit for the gains in the elections.
Basu reiterates support to the Congress
But the Marxist chief minister of West Bengal felt an anti-BJP verdict in the assembly elections might not be enough to dislodge Vajpayee.
THE REDIFF ELECTION INTERVIEWS
'When people are getting power for the first time, there is bound to be some misuse'
'Corruption is a world-wide phenomenon. Every government is being charged with corruption. It is an issue which has to be tackled by all political parties rather than levelling charges against each other.' Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh displays unusual candour.
'The central government will not survive'
'There is hardly any crowd at Vajpayee's meetings. BJP workers are providing vehicles to attend his meetings, but still nobody is willing to come. In fact, at some places, people are showing slippers and shoes to Vajpayee.' Ashok Gehlot, who powered the Congress to an unassailable position in Rajasthan, believes the end is nigh for the BJP.
OTHER REPORTS
SC orders Laloo, Mishra put in real jail
It said the two former chief ministers being housed in the BMP campus was a "clear case of disobedience" of the order of the special judge trying the fodder scam cases.
2 Pakistani soldiers killed in Siachen
A defence ministry spokesman said Indian troops resorted to "controlled retaliation" to unprovoked firing by Pakistani troops.
Police get clean chit in Coimbatore riots
The P R Gokulakrishnan Commission has cleared the Coimbatore police of blame in the widespread violence that broke out after a traffic constable was murdered in the textile city last November.
Goa CM to prove majority on Monday
Though the governor has given him 21days, Luizinho Faleiro said he preferred to seek the mandate of the house on Monday itself.
188 bodies recovered from rail mishap site
Only 109 victims have been identified. Many bodies were mutilated beyond recognition.
'Jesus would pat my back for telling the truth'
Professor Sukumar Azheekode's allegation that most priests consume alcohol has kicked up a storm. The writer's, however, sticking to his stand.
NRI nanny makes big news in England
Several mass-circulated dailies have run extensive stories on 43-year-old Manjit Kaur Basuta, a California nanny who is charged with killing 13-month-old Oliver Smith who was in her care.
THE REDIFF SPECIAL
Scarred for Life
In a way, the Coimbatore blasts of February 14 this year were a response to the riots in November last year. Together, the two events have changed the west Tamil Nadu city. As a housewife put it, "the injuries may heal, but the scar will remain". N Sathiya Moorthy reports on the first anniversary of the riots.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
Up to Sonia
'It will be Sonia Gandhi who is going to be truly tested now. Congressmen have been deprived of power since 1996; she can't ask them to undergo another round of "support from outside". The party wants ministerships and Sonia Gandhi can't afford to let anyone else become prime minister. How will she settle that problem?' T V R Shenoy wonders.
The end for Vajpayee appears to be nigh
'The winter session coincides with nine months of his government. It looks as if full term will lead only to abortion. We have ahead of us here in India a long, hot winter,' says Mani Shankar Aiyar.
Assam: ULFA militants kill 5 jawans, blow up pipeline
Gujarat: Minister Savji Korat's body handed over to Rajkot Medical College
Uttar Pradesh: Ayodhya demolition case moves at snail's pace
THE WEATHER
Nights cooler in central and western India
Night temperatures were appreciably below normal in Telangana, south interior Karnataka, and some parts of south Rajasthan, Gujarat, central Maharashtra, Vidarbha, and Rayalaseema.
NOVEMBER 27
150 killed in Punjab rail tragedy
Some coaches of the Frontier Mail, headed from Bombay to Amritsar, got decoupled from the train and derailed, tilting onto an adjoining track where they were rammed by the oncoming Jammu Tawi-Sealdah Express.
Congress returns in Goa with Faleiro as CM
The development ended the uncertainty caused by the MGP, a constituent of the outgoing coalition, staking its claim to form the next government.
THE ELECTIONS
CWC wants Sonia to take the plunge
A favourable assembly election verdict is bound to strengthen Gandhi's position within the party, and the Left parties as well as Jayalalitha and Banerjee are said to be more comfortable with her at the helm.
Assembly results do not affect numbers at the Centre, says BJP
The party contended that state elections and the central government are two different things, and even in the past no government at the Centre had resigned in the wake of adverse assembly poll results.
Congress will work out a minimum programme with allies, says Pawar
The opposition leader in the Lok Sabha said his party would not try to topple the government, but it would not shun the task of providing a viable alternative in the event of the BJP's allies deciding to abandon the 'sinking ship'.
Coalition panel to meet on Monday
The co-ordination committee will discuss the government's stand on various crucial issues that are likely to come up in the winter session of Parliament. The partners are taking the meeting seriously in view of adverse exit poll surveys indicating the BJP's rout in Delhi and Rajasthan.
Repoll ordered in 118 booths in 4 states
Sixty-eight of these polling stations are in Madhya Pradesh, most of them in Bhind district, 44 in Rajasthan, four in Bihar, and two in Bharuch Lok Sabha constituency in Gujarat.
OTHER REPORTS
Rift in pro-Pakistan Jamaat-e-Islami widens
While one section led by the party chief is trying to distance itself from the terrorism in Kashmir, the other is proudly flaunting its separatist links.
BJP tells Sena to shut up or pull out
Condemning the display of derogatory cartoons of Vajpayee and Advani and doubts about their patriotism during a demonstration in Bombay, state BJP president Suryabhan Wahadane said they would tolerate such insults no more.
SC okays special courts to try Jaya
The decision comes as a major setback to the AIADMK general secretary.
India, US have reached 'a lot of common ground': Naresh Chandra
Putting the five-month-long Jaswant Singh-Strobe Talbott talks in perspective, the Indian ambassador in Washington said, ''The two sides were able to identify areas of 'satisfactory progress'.''
Vajpayee 'Honest Person of the Year', surrenders cash prize
Accepting the award instituted by Sulabh International, the PM called for a countrywide campaign to break the nexus between criminals and politicians and eliminate corruption in high places.
Karunakaran blasts Rao
Asked if it was proper for the Congress to let down the former PM when he was facing problems, he said if Rao had protected the party, the party would have had to protect him.
US crackdown on immigrants gives Indians the 'flu'
The contagion broke out after the Immigration and Naturalisation Service busted the 'largest alien smuggling ring ever'. "Everyone is scared, really scared," said a grocery store worker who has overstayed his visitor's visa.
India promises to phase out ozone-depleting substances
Environment Minister Suresh Prabhu said the government had drafted detailed rules to regulate the phase-out under the Environment Protection Act, and hopes to put them in place well before the 1999 freeze date.
Russia expels 6 Pakistanis for preaching 'fundamentalist Islam'
While preaching Wahhabism in the Bashkortostan region in the southern Ural mountains, the Pakistanis "made anti-Russian remarks aimed at fuelling ethnic and religious hostility".
THE REDIFF COLUMNIST
Present Imperfect
"If there were no Congress-sponsored extraneous concessions to Muslims, there would've been no resentment in Hindus like me. No resentment -- no divide. No divide -- no Hindu vote bank. No Hindu vote bank -- no BJP! Secularists have NO excuse for their lead role in destroying the commonalty of India," says Varsha Bhosle.
Gujarat: Minister Savji Korat dies at 45
Karnataka: Government withdraws CBI's carte-blanche
Karnataka: Doubts Centre's intention on Mysore Palace bill
Maharashtra: Teenager stabbed to death by schoolmates in Nagpur
Tamil Nadu: Language of gods sparks divine debate in assembly
THE WEATHER
Night temperatures dip in central India
Night temperatures were appreciably below normal in north Gujarat region, north-central Maharashtra, Vidarbha and parts of west Madhya Pradesh, Saurashtra, Kutch, and Telangana.
NOVEMBER 26
THE ELECTIONS
Congress ahead in Delhi, Rajasthan, BJP in MP, MNF-MPC in Mizoram
An exit poll for Doordarshan said a strong anti-incumbency wave is set to seal the fate of chief ministers Sushma Swaraj (Delhi), Bhairon Singh Shekhawat (Rajasthan), Digvijay Singh (Madhya Pradesh) and Lal Thanhawla (Mizoram).
Vajpayee hints at mid-term polls, finds 'situation pregnant with possibilities'
The prime minister said the co-ordination committee of the BJP-led coalition would meet soon after the election results are declared, to chalk out the future course of action.
Sushma, Sahib Singh reject exit poll drubbing
While the Delhi CM said she would comment on the outcome only after the votes are counted, her predecessor said his pre-poll assessment of a BJP victory was reinforced by his tour of 20 constituencies on Election Day.
Three killed in Madhya Pradesh
Stray incidents of violence in which three persons were killed and 16 others were injured marred the ten-hour polling in India's largest state.
Rules are for the breaking
The EVMs may beep, but little else has changed in the polling process in Gwalior.
BJP, Congress trade charges of malpractice
Police were slow to act against Congress excesses, says BJP; BJP involved in booth-capturing, acting against those in hutments, claims Congress.
Nine held for bid to capture booth in Sheohar
Suspected RJD activists were among those arrested for trying to scare Harijan voters and opening fire.
200 suffer food poisoning in Swaraj's constituency, Congress wants repoll
The people took ill after eating salted snacks distributed by unidentified people in a slum in the Delhi CM's constituency before polling began.
58 per cent turnout in assembly polls
Nearly 60 per cent polling was reported in Rajasthan, a record 70 per cent in Mizoram, 50 per cent in MP and 52 per cent in Delhi.
58 per cent turnout in Bharuch
The percentage has come down from the 63 per cent recorded in the February Lok Sabha election.
Electronic voting machines prove a hit in Jaipur
Reports indicated a higher turnout in the constituencies where the EVMs were used. Mohammad Aziz, 20, said: "I only voted because I wanted to see and use the machine. [Otherwise] who wants to vote?"
'The new machine has brought more voters'
Said a polling officer in Old Bhopal, "There has been a very good turnout. People came to see the new tarkeeb of casting a vote. Many just want to experience what this is."
EC observer reports Badal's son
Nearly 70 per cent of the 119,000 voters of Adampur assembly constituency in Punjab voted in the bye-election. The polling was peaceful but for minor skirmishes.
THE REDIFF ELECTION SPECIAL
'No one comes here'
"A couple of BJP workers came about a week ago, a Congress vehicle came here as well, but not the candidates," says Mangilal Vaas. Moosa Khan chips in: "In my memory, no candidate has ever come here, for any election." Prem Panicker reports from the Indo-Pak border.
On the fringes of democracy
They have no pretences, no awareness, nothing. Not even a desire to vote. The tribals here have been told to vote, so they will vote. Mindlessly. Proving once again that polls here are a slap in the face of democracy. Chindu Sreedharan reports from the heart of Naxal territory.
OTHER REPORTS
No talks with militants, says Fernandes
But when asked about the main hurdle in initiating talks, the defence minister said this question could be answered better by the militants.
Probe ordered into raid on Ali Mian's house
The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered an inquiry into the case of some unidentified persons entering and conducting an unauthorised search of the Rae Bareli residence of the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board president.
Veerappan injured in encounter with STF
The elusive forest brigand and two of his associates were injured in an encounter with the special task forces of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka during the stepped-up combing operations in Kadambur area in the Sathyamangalam forests.
Karunanidhi tilts at Kanchi seers, imbues railway function with controversy
While Christian and Muslim religious heads attended the function at which Railway Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the 63-km Kanchipuram-Arakkonam broad-gauge line, Jayendra Saraswati and his heir-apparent, Vijayendra Saraswati, stayed away.
Zubin Mehta receives a jolt
For the famed conductor, it was a black Monday. Apart from a Santa Monica jury acquitting Susan McDougal of embezzling over $50,000 from Mehta and his wife, the case filed over six years ago re-ignited the problems in his life.
Clinton, Sharief to pursue adherence to CTBT
The US president will pursue non-proliferation and security issues during his meeting with the Pakistani premier in Washington on December 2.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
Playing God
'Whatever crimes gangsters like Dawood Ibrahim may have committed, they kept the flame of free trade burning and without their spirit of daring and enterprise, the Indian economy would have been strangled by now,' says Pritish Nandy.
It's Routine and It Feeds on Itself
'Without TADA, the enforcers of our laws find it easy enough to deprive people -- and especially the people least able to protest -- of their freedom. What can we expect of this "mini-TADA"? Questions to ask, because police custody is no picnic for those who suffer it,' says Dilip D'Souza.
THE WEATHER
Cold wave setting in over Gujarat,
north Maharashtra
Rain or thundershowers are likely in the Andaman and Nicobar islands and at isolated places in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, coastal Andhra Pradesh, coastal Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Lakshadweep.
NOVEMBER 25
BJP gets the E-Day shivers
Party politicians believe that in an attempt to rein in restive allies like the AIADMK and the Trinamul Congress, Vajpayee will carry out the much-waited expansion of his council of ministers immediately after the elections.
BJP promises Chhattisgarh in 3 months
"It took Digvijay Singh five years to carve a few districts in the state, why then such an uproar if we take eight months to carve a state?" asks one leader.
THE REDIFF ELECTION SPECIALS
Shekhawat's Last Stand
While his successor will find that much remains to be done, especially in the social sector, Shekhawat has given Rajasthan a strong economic base. History will certainly remember him.
A Bastion Lost to Neglect
The BJP's vote share in Bharuch has declined from a high of 50 per cent in 1989 to just 33 per cent in February 1998. The party is now promising a fresh start with a new candidate. But will the voter bite?
An Evening in Bharuch
'A brief auto-ride later, I reached the wadi, a setting that seemed five-starish to me, complete with huge wrought-iron gates, mystical gardens, and the like. Just to be sure, I double-checked with the guard that this was no hotel, but Ahmed Patel's residence.'
The Price of Loyalty
Almost every house in Khetolai and Dholia suffered serious damage in the May nuclear tests. But the Centre is unwilling to pay adequate compensation -- both villages are die-hard Congress bastions.
A Walk with the Princess
"No, I don't enjoy politics. The kind of politics that is played today cannot be enjoyed," says Yashodhararaje Scindia, BJP candidate in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh.
MORE ON THE ELECTIONS
All set for the big day
More than 83 million voters go to the polls tomorrow to elect 626 members of the Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Mizoram and Delhi assemblies.
Divisions plague both BJP, Congress
Though the BJP factions manage to unite in times of crisis, this time the infighting in the opposition party is more than in the ruling Congress in Madhya Pradesh.
The largest state keeps both sides guessing
Discovering the trends and moods that move Madhya Pradesh at poll time is almost like analysing voting patterns in culturally polarised Europe.
Narrow margins are the norm in MP
A swing of between 1 and 2.5 per cent could make or mar the prospects of candidates in almost half of the state's 320 assembly seats.
Ex-dacoit checks out the ultimate democratic exercise
"Netaji Bose, Bhagat Singh didn't have a party. So I don't need a party. The lion has always been alone. Only goats roam in a herd." Reformed brigand Malkhan Singh explains his worldview.
Laughter, the best medicine
The PM returned to Gwalior for the campaign, and anecdotes, barbs and jokes flowed forth. The crowds were obviously entertained by vintage Vajpayee, but will the effect last till polling day?
Electronic voting machines on a roll
No more stamping, folding, and slipping of ballot papers into stuffed boxes. No more booth-capturing or waiting for vote counts. All thanks to the EVMs, now being tested in 16 constituencies.
Polls are no longer the party they used to be
A veteran of many elections says the poll cost curbs should be removed. "Money that would have gone to a poor painter, tent-wallah or printer is now spent on bribing the voter, providing alcohol before election day, and paying off criminals for protection."
Laloo going strong with Muslim-Yadav votes
It is the RJD chief versus others in all the Bihar assembly constituencies barring one, Purnea, where by-elections will be held tomorrow. The opposition has tried its best to break his MY combination, but faces an uphill task.
Delhi: Sushma questions opinion polls
THE REDIFF ELECTION INTERVIEWS
'We expect a lot of violence this time'
'During the Lok Sabha election, the Naxals targeted the polling officers. They did not kill them, but they bashed them up. So in hypersensitive areas, we advise the polling officers to request escorts.' T John Longkumer, police chief in the heart of Naxalite territory, expresses his fears.
'Should the govt grow vegetables? Should Atalji sell sabzi?
"Zero performance. A non-serious CM. And a corrupt government..." "This Panchayati Raj has decentralised corruption. Panchayati Raj is an insult today..." "This is not a party of devtas..." BJP politician Sunderlal Patwa, in a frank interview.
OTHER REPORTS
Goa governor ignores Cabinet, trust vote on Thursday
Lt Gen (retd) J F R Jacob has summoned a special one-day session of the assembly to enable Wilfred de Souza to seek a vote of confidence.
Swiss requested to expedite Bofors papers
Prime Minister Vajpayee and the Swiss president also exchanged views on India's nuclear tests and the need for total elimination of nuclear weapons.
Six policemen killed in blast
This explosion, the fifth in 10 days, is a setback to the anti-militancy drive in Kashmir, say policemen.
Thackeray's stand on Pak team 'foolish': Pawar
''He does not own the country," the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha pointed out.
No chance of Sena-BJP break-up: Munde
The Maharashtra deputy chief minister said the two parties would stick together despite differences over the proposed visit by Pakistani cricketers.
HC raps I-T department in Arjun Singh case
The Madhya Pradesh high court also quashed other notices for reopening the income-tax and wealth-tax returns filed by the Congress politician, his wife and son for the year 1987-88.
Thane cops told to compensate torture victim
Jitendra Tiwari was arrested on December 5, 1997, and died on December 25 in custody. The high court ordered an inquiry that exposed the cops.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
Don't write off the Vajpayee government yet
'I think when pull comes to shove, Sonia will prefer to wait it out, till the next election, and what she may expect to be a clear majority for her party,' says Saisuresh Sivaswamy.
If the Left-Congress conspiracy is successful, India could head for a new high in the secularist iconoclasm
'It is possible to deem the Vande Mataram controversy as a calculated and daring image-builder among the large number of Hindu sympathisers who had been keeping almost equidistant from the BJP and the Congress and therefore undecided about their vote on Wednesday,' says Arvind Lavakare.
THE WEATHER
Srinagar goes below zero
Rain or snow is likely to occur at isolated places in Jammu and Kashmir.
NOVEMBER 24
THE ELECTIONS
Campaign ends, countdown begins
After eight months of living dangerously, the November 25 assembly elections could well be Prime Minister Vajpayee's real test of survival. Even if his party loses Delhi and Rajasthan, as is widely expected, his government will stay on course if the BJP recaptures Madhya Pradesh.
Jats clamour for CM's post if Congress wins Rajasthan
The Jats say they have loyally supported the party for 50 years, but Rajasthan has not had a single Jat at the helm.
Sonia ridicules BJP charge on price rise
"Naach na jaane, aangan teda," the Congress president told a 20,000-strong gathering at the Ramlila grounds in Delhi, amidst thunderous applause.
BJP's policies rob poppy growers of their high
The farmers are unhappy that the opium they produce does not get a fair price. The BJP had promised to increase payments to decent levels. But the present government is paying only Rs 75 more than what the United Front regime used to give.
BJP annoyed by EC's ban on its ad
The party is also upset that its complaint about returning officers accepting facsimile copies of a form from 107 Congress candidates in Madhya Pradesh was rejected as baseless.
Chhattisgarh statehood is a hot political issue
While the BJP is taking credit for fulfilling its promise of a separate state, the Congress is working hard to convince voters that it raised the demand first.
Six ministers in the fray in Mahakaushal
But this time, with the anti-incumbency hanging over them, it's a different ball game for the Congress.
Congress banks on newcomers to capture Bundelkhand
But the BJP hopes to repeat its impressive performance of the last two Lok Sabha elections in the 24 assembly constituencies of this region in Madhya Pradesh.
Ajay Singh fights his father's battle in Churhat
But sitting MLA Govind Mishra is not demoralised by the presence of Arjun Singh's son in the fray. In the last five years, BJP workers say, the people of Churhat have realised for the first time that a legislator can be accessible to the masses.
Royals add colour to MP's electoral battle
While the Congress has nominated 13 candidates from royal families, the BJP has put up seven.
Prospective CM takes on scion of royal family in Dhar
The constituency, which lies between what is said to be Asia's largest industrial centre, Pithampur, and the salubrious tourist site of Mandu, will witness the 'keenest contest' in western Madhya Pradesh. Meeting head-on are the BJP's Vikram Verma and Karan Singh Pawar of the Congress.
Congress veteran takes on BJP greenhorn in Kasrawad
Compared to Deputy CM Subhas Yadav, who has the impressive experience of contesting five Lok Sabha elections and one assembly election, Dashrath Singh is making his electoral debut.
Triangular fight likely in Koderma
The RJD is banking on the sympathy wave after Minister of State for Mines Ramesh Yadav died, but the BJP is cashing in on the Vananchal issue and the Congress on the price rise.
Madhya Pradesh: On the trail with the PM's nephew
Madhya Pradesh: In times of war, we always come together -- Mamaji
Madhya Pradesh: Congress chief seeks a hat-trick in Ghansor
Rajasthan: CM aspirant changes poll scene in Bhopalgarh
THE REDIFF ELECTION SPECIALS
'Chhattisgarhis are poor people. We think of dal-chaval, not politics'
It doesn't matter to them who the candidates are. It doesn't even matter if the entire government is charged with corruption, or the price of onions is Rs 100 a kilo. All that the Chhattisgarhis look at is the party -- whether it is the BJP or the Congress.
A state coming to terms with itself
What is often missed is that Rajasthan is a state of great change. "If the trend continues," says former chief secretary Mithalal Mehta, "in another decade or so, it will be among India's more developed states."
The choice is clear... it's confused
Prem Panicker visits Nokha, near Bikaner, where party loyalties shift like the desert sands and dividing lines are as permanent as dunes, and comes away with a splitting headache.
In Armani glasses, the Jain from Mandsaur makes his bid for power
'Every youth, every child in this village is a Sunderlal Patwa, if you give your vote to me, it is like voting for yourself -- a vote for someone like you, from among you.' On the campaign trail in MP.
'When a shoe starts biting, either mend it or throw the shoe away'
"These are the Congress's last days in MP, though the people of Orissa will have to bear with it for a little more time." On the campaign trail with Prime Minister Vajpayee.
THE REDIFF ELECTION INTERVIEW
'This election will not affect the Vajpayee government'
"There are nearly 46 rebel candidates against the official Congress candidates. This is going to be an advantage for us." Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat weighs his party's chances.
OTHER REPORTS
No plan to 'saffronise' education: Dr Joshi
The Union HRD minister said he had only suggested that textbooks should also mention the contributions of great Indians besides the country's achievements and shortcomings.
Shahabuddin backs Ali Mian
The former Lok Sabha member said the move to impose Vande Mataram and Saraswati Vandana on Muslims violates the Constitution.
Goa trust vote on Friday
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Wilfred de Souza is likely to expand his Cabinet with three independents immediately, including the two who are currently with the Congress.
Laloo reports sick, fails to appear in court
Others who missed court on medical grounds were former Union minister C P Verma, RJD legislator R K Rana, former regional animal husbandry director S B Sinha and IAS officer Sajal Chakraborty.
THE REDIFF COLUMNIST
Don bad man
'Nobody is asking any of the Delhi politicians who sponsored Romesh Sharma why they extended patronage to a hoodlum and a pimp. Can Maneka Gandhi tell us whether her concern for cats and dogs extends to human beings? And if it does, then why did this thug head her party's Bombay unit? Can the BJP's Delhi leadership tell us whether it opposes corruption? If so, then why did it patronise and protect this gangster?' asks Vir Sanghvi.
THE WEATHER
Bengal, Orissa, Sikkim to have more rain
Thundershowers are likely at many places in West Bengal, Sikkim, Orissa and coastal Andhra Pradesh, at a few places in the Andamans, the North-East, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Lakshadweep, and at isolated places in eastern and western Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.
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