September 9, 2025 07:32 AM IST
First published on: Sep 9, 2025 at 07:32 AM IST
THE PRESIDENT PROMULGATED an ordinance amending Section 52 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to provide for the countermanding of an election only in case of the death of a candidate set up by a recognised political party. The effect of the ordinance, which limits the scope of Section 52, is that an election will not be countermanded henceforth in the event of the death of an independent candidate.
Copter Deal
THE PRIME MINISTER, Rajiv Gandhi, has indicated that India might buy Westland helicopters from Britain, provided the price is right and the performance and running costs meet Indian specifications. “If Westland can meet (our requirements), I see no reason why we will not buy it,” he is quoted as having said in an interview with the Sunday Times. He said that orders for the Westland-30 helicopter might rise to 40 if the manufacturers could modify it to meet Indian requirements.
No Referendum
SRI LANKAN PRESIDENT J R Jayewardene has made it clear that his government has no intention whatsoever of holding a general election or referendum to get the people’s mandate for the proposals to resolve the island’s ethnic problem. Addressing Buddhist leaders, he said it was difficult to say what sort of solution would be worked out, but once a decision was taken, the government would let the country know.
Poll Boycott
THE UNITED AKALI Dal convener Baba Joginder Singh appealed to the Sikh masses to boycott all the leaders of the Akali Dal (L) faction and the ensuing elections in the state. Speaking at the largely attended panthic convention held at Gurdwara Manji Sahib hall in the Golden Temple complex, Baba Joginder Singh said these leaders only lusted for power and were not bothered about the fate of the Sikh masses. He said the Sikhs would not have gone through such a crisis had these leaders not betrayed them.
