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Wednesday, May 27, 1998

	Pokharan moves into Parliament Congress president Sonia Gandhi yesterday told her party MPs what line to take in Parliament on the recent Pokharan blasts: praise the scientists, talk of the Congress' role in India going nuclear and raise queries on the timing of the tests. In essence, she has stuck to the position being articulated in the party over the last few days: one of self-praise and doubts over the BJP's reasons for conducting the tests two weeks ago.		BJP to swear by security National security, national pride and the fact that all previous governments encouraged the nuclear programme are likely to be the pivots of the government's defence to the onslaught on the nuclear tests planned by the Opposition during the Budget session beginning today. The BJP-led government is expected to emphasise that it has taken a giant stride for India to occupy its rightful place under the sun.
	Ten-day respite for Mahanta as Boro defers to party's will Assam Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta's trouble arising out an attempt of the dissidents in his Asom Gana Parishad party to dislodge him has subsided, at least for the time being. This is due to the admission by senior Minister Thaneswar Boro, who was projected by the rebels as their alternative leader, that it was for the AGP's legislature party to take the final decision.		Bold TC has Left on the defensive Two apparently conflicting elements marked Monday's Trinamool Congress-BJP-sponsored Bangla bandh. It was unusually peaceful, judging by West Bengal's record on such occasions. And, it came three days before the panchayat polls -- the campaign for which has been the bloodiest in recent election history of the state.

Left to protest curtailed session
Accusing the BJP of trying to bypass Parliament by curtailing the budget session, the Left parties plan to register their protest when the House convenes today. What the Left parties apprehend is that with the paucity of working days, the government will begin to act on legislation through ordinances, thereby bypassing Parliament altogether.

A "bald" statement for Malegaon
Pressure is mounting on the Maharashtra government to carve out a separate Malegaon district from the existing Nashik district, with the Shiv Sainiks announcing last week that they would tonsure their heads in front of Mantralaya if their demands are not met soon. The agitations for a separate district have been stepped up so much that Guardian Minister of Nashik B S Gholap was compelled to visit the area and announce that the new district would be created before the tenure of the present Government ends.

Cong divided over entry to Aghadi corporators