August 23, 2025 07:07 AM IST
First published on: Aug 23, 2025 at 07:06 AM IST
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Elections in Punjab will be held on September 25 instead of September 22, the Election Commission has announced. It is evident that the government has stuck to its decision to go ahead with the elections despite opposition from the Akalis and other national parties. The EC had asked the Punjab chief secretary to assess the situation afresh in the wake of the assassination of Akali Dal chief Harchand Singh Longowal, and also to know the views of other political parties.
Akali Split Threat
With the body of the assassinated Akali Dal president, Harchand Singh Longowal, still warm, a war of succession has broken out in the party, threatening a vertical split in the rank and file. The war was signalled when a meeting of Akali circle jathedars “appointed” Surjit Singh Barnala, former minister and a close lieutenant of Sant Longowal, convener of the party barely 10 hours after the latter’s pyre was lit.
UK Plane Disaster
A British Airtours jetliner packed with vacationers burst into flames and crashed at the end of the runway at Manchester Airport, killing 54 of the 137 people on board, police said. Passengers among the 83 survivors reported a mass panic in the crowded aisle of the aircraft as people tried to escape down emergency chutes when the flaming plane stopped.
Thimphu Talks
The Thimphu peace talks between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil groups have adjourned with no immediate scope of resumption. The Indian high commissioner, J N Dixit, announced the adjournment at a news conference in Colombo. It was India’s assessment that the talks had to be adjourned because of the resurgence of violence and because there was “some gap” between the Tamil delegations’ expectations and what the government offered.
