This is the front page of The Indian Express published on January 14, 1985.
Jan 14, 2025 07:14 IST First published on: Jan 14, 2025 at 07:14 IST
Congress-I president Rajiv Gandhi is in two minds: whether to retain his mother’s highly personalised style of organisational management or permit a limited democratic functioning at different levels with greater accountability. During informal discussions with senior leaders, Gandhi was understood to have expressed his desire to hear about a minimum organisational burden, especially of a routine nature.
Sri Lanka’s Demand
Sri Lanka’s government asked the Government of India to “immediately” return its patrol boat and crew, which were captured within the Indian territorial waters by the Indian Coast Guards. The Sri Lankan demand was based on its claim that the vessel was immune from the jurisdiction of the Indian authorities as it belonged to the Sri Lankan navy.
Pak Polls Questioned
Two top MRD leaders, Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi and Air Marshal (retd) Asghar Khan, described General Zia-ul-Haq’s announcement of the national polls as a “bigger fraud” than the December 19 referendum. Jatoi said that there was no question of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) taking part in the partyless polls which, he felt, would hasten the end of the military regime. Khan said the coming polls would further reduce Zia’s credibility.
Deadly Train Fire
At least 27 people were killed and 58 injured when a passenger train caught fire near Bheramara railway station in the Kushtia district about 300 kilometres from Dhaka. Unofficial reports said about 150 people were feared killed and over 300 injured following the fire.
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