National Events in 1997
1st Jan
Thirty-year Ganga water sharing treaty between India and Bangladesh takes effect.
3rd Jan
Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalitha, released on bail after 27 days in prison. She had been arrested in the TV sets case, wealth case, etc.
4th Jan
Samata Party Areraj block president, Mr. Prabhakar Pandey, shot dead by armed miscreants.
6th Jan
CBI interrogates Bihar Chief Minister, Mr. Laloo Prasad Yadav, in connection with the Rs. 750-crore Animal Husbandry Department scam.
9th Jan
British Prime Minister, Mr. John Major, addresses plenary session of the `Partnership Summit' organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, in Calcutta.
13th Jan
Supreme Court dismisses Special Leave Petition for bail from Ms. Sasikala (a close associate of Ms. Jayalalitha) in a `FERA violation case'.
15th Jan
Pakistan's pilotless surveillance aircraft intrudes into Indian air space, for the first time.
19th Jan
CBI questions Congress(I) president Mr. Sitaram Kesri, about his assets that are allegedly disproportionate to his known sources of income.
22nd Jan
Former Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Bhajan Lal, former Union Ministers, Mr. Ajit Singh, Mr. Ram Lakhan Singh Yadav and five others chargesheeted by CBI in Rs. 3.5-crore Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MPs bribery case.
24th Jan
Ms. Justice Meera Sahib Fathima Beevi and Mr. Justice Sukhdev Singh Kang appointed Governors of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
26th Jan
President, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, takes salute at the 48th Republic Day celebrations at New Delhi's Rajpath.
29th Jan
Fire engulfs most of the three top floors of the Express Towers, skyrise building owned by Indian Express group, in Mumbai.
30th Jan
Fifth Central Pay Commission submits its proposals.
2nd Feb
Supreme Court declines to grant interim `stay' in the matter of construction of Alamatti irrigation and power dam in Karnataka beyond 1,680 feet.
8th Feb
Government lifts curbs on many consumer goods imports in a move to liberalise imports.
11th Feb
DMK candidate, Mr. P. Mari Ayya, elected in Pudukottai by- election.
12th Feb
Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) president, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, sworn in Chief Minister of Punjab for third time.
13th Feb
Prime Minister, Mr.H.D. Deve Gowda, dedicates 480-MW Uri (North Kashmir) hydel project to the nation.
16th Feb
Mr. Ramakrishna Hedge forms `Lok Shakti,' a national political party.
21st Feb
Mr. J. M. Lyngdoh appointed Election Commissioner.
23rd Feb
Mr. Justice J. S. Verma appointed Chief Justice of India.
25th Feb
Government rejects demand for tabling Bofors documents in Parliament.
26th Feb
Railway Minister, Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan, proposes 12 per cent increase in freight rates, 10 per cent fare hike for upper classes and five per cent increase for second class sleeper, in trains.
27th Feb
CBI arrests godman Chandraswami for alleged offences in violation of Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Act, 1976.
28th Feb
Finance Minister, Mr. P. Chidambaram, presents action-packed budget for 1997-98.
2nd Mar
Mr. Michel Camdessus, Managing Director, IMF, congratulates India on its pursuit of steady and higher economic growth.
3rd Mar
Mr. Bill Gates, CEO, Microsoft Corporation, arrives in New Delhi.
8th Mar
Mr. G. K. Moopanar unanimously elected first president of Tamil Maanila Congress.
11th Mar
Chennai police seize a large quantity of powerful explosives and arrest two Muslim fundamentalists.
13th Mar
Three senior leaders of All-Party Hurriyat Conference taken into custody as they go on hunger-strike against alleged custodial killings in Srinagar.
Prime Minister, Mr. H. D. Deve Gowda, presents G. K. Reddy Memorial Award to Mr. Shekhar Gupta, Chief Editor, The Indian Express.
15th Mar
Lok Sabha passes Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 1997.
16th Mar
Saidian Shafi, correspondent, `Ankhon Dekhi', TV news magazine, and his personal security officer killed by militants in Srinagar.
17th Mar
A Delhi court sentences former Union Minister, Mr. Kalpnath Rai, to 10 years RI.
19th Mar
BJP and BSP agree to form coalition government in U.P.
22nd Mar
Seven Kashmiri Pandits gunned down by unidentified militants.
25th Mar
Mr. Justice Jagdish Saran Verma sworn in Chief Justice of India.
26th Mar
Centre signs `Ways and Means Advances Agreement' with RBI.
27th Mar
South African President, Mr. Nelson Mandela, arrives in New Delhi on official visit.
28th Mar
India and Pakistan, represented by Mr. Salman Haider and Mr. Shamshad Ahmed, Foreign Secretaries, hold official talks on issues at New Delhi.
30th Mar
Congress(I) withdraws support to 10-month old Deve Gowda Government.
31st Mar
The Bombay Stock Exchange crashes by 300 points.
1st Apr
India seeks Oman help to establish regular dialogue with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
7th Apr
Two-day conference of NAM Foreign Ministers begins in New Delhi.
8th Apr
Delhi High Court quashes charges of corruption and criminal conspiracy against BJP president, Mr. L. K. Advani, and former Union Minister, Mr. V. C. Shukla.
10th Apr
Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, Mr. Bill Gates, announces Rs. 2.5- crore aid to Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Gandhi Institute of Computer Education and Information Technology, Mumbai.
11th Apr
Deve Gowda Government loses vote of confidence.
15th Apr
Interest rate on domestic term deposits brought down from 10 to nine per cent, by RBI.
19th Apr
Mr. I. K. Gujral, chosen United Front leader, in place of Mr. Deve Gowda.
20th Apr
TMC rules out participation in the U.F. Government under Mr. Gujral.
21st Apr
Mr. Gujral sworn in Prime Minister along with colleagues in Deve Gowda Government.
22nd Apr
Mr. Gujral wins vote of confidence in Parliament.
27th Apr
CBI decides to prosecute Bihar Chief Minister, Mr. Laloo Prasad Yadav in Rs. 950-crore fodder scam case.
29th Apr
Mr. G. K. Moopanar, announces TMC decision to join Gujral Government.
30th Apr
Clinton administration places India on ``priority watch list'' under U.S. trade law 301 for New Delhi's failure to provide protection to American intellectual property, particularly patents.
1st May
Six more inducted in Union Cabinet including Mr. P. Chidambaram and Mr. S. Jaipal Reddy.
3rd May
Mr. Vijay Pradhan, additional senior counsel for Srikrishna Commission, probing 1992-93 riots in Mumbai, resigns. He is not allowed to cross-examine Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Joshi.
5th May
Election Commission serves show-cause notice on Congress(I) for non-compliance with directive to complete organisational elections by May 31.
6th May
A Delhi court orders framing of charges of criminal conspiracy and corruption against former Prime Minister, Mr. P.V. Narasimha Rao, and 19 others in Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MPs bribery case.
Twelve persons killed and eight seriously injured in two blasts in east Delhi.
7th May
Seventeen CRPF jawans and a Home Guard killed and six severely injured in an ambush by insurgents at Chelagang-Khumling in South Tripura.
Three persons killed and two injured as police open fire to quell violence by a 10,000-strong mob at Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu.
8th May
Ms. Sonia Gandhi enrols as primary member of Congress(I).
Election Commission gives Congress(I) time till July 15 for holding organisational elections.
Sivakasi and neighbouring areas ``sealed'' off by armed youth, protesting against police firing.
9th May
An accused in the fodder scam, Hareesh Khandelwal, commits suicide by jumping before train at Dhanbad in Bihar.
At least 71 persons killed and nine injured when a truck carrying a marriage party plunges into gorge near Gasota in Hamerpur district of Himachal Pradesh.
Suspected insurgents shoot dead A.C. Kumar, DIG of Village Volunteer Force and Special Security Bureau under Union Home Ministry, in Lamphal area, Imphal.
In continuing violence in southern Tamil Nadu, a TMC councillor is attacked and houses of policemen are ransacked. Attempts are made to derail a train and set fire to temple precincts.
10th May
CBI seeks sanction of Bihar Governor, Dr. A.R. Kidwai, for prosecuting Chief Minister, Mr. Laloo Yadav, his two Cabinet colleagues, the Union Minister, Mr. Chandradeo Prasad Verma, and former C.M., Dr. Jagannath Mishra, in fodder scam case.
Kamarajar district, which has seen unabated violence for a week over formation of Veeran Sundaralingam Transport Corporation, limps back to normality.
12th May
Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan agree to set up joint working groups on a range of issues to be identified by Foreign Secretaries.
Banned Maoist Communist Centre guns down 13 persons in two separate incidents in Bihar.
13th May
CBI seeks sanction of the Centre to prosecute a number of former public servants in Rs. 64-crore Bofors payoffs case.
15th May
CBI seeks Presidential sanction to prosecute Union Minister of State for Rural Areas and Employment, Mr. Chandradeo Prasad Verma, in fodder scam case.
The All-Party Hurriyat Conference leader, Mr. Yaseen Malik, released from Tihar jail.
A Delhi court discharges former Delhi Chief Minister, Mr. Madan Lal Khurana, in the Jain hawala case.
16th May
Police fire buckshots at two places in Madurai as mobs go on rampage in protest against damage to the Ambedkar statue at Valliyoor.
The Tamil Nadu Government's offer to bifurcate the operation of Veeran Sundaralingam Transport Corporation services to end caste clashes is rejected by community leaders.
Discussion on contentious women's reservation Bill is put off in Lok Sabha following opposition from large section of ruling UF's constituents.
17th May
Janata Dal president, Mr. Laloo Yadav drops Rural Development Minister, Mr. Rammai Ram, from party National Council.
Two workers belonging to Mamsapuram near Srivilliputtur ``burnt alive'' at neighbouring Edayankulam by its residents who took them hostage.
19th May
Former Minister, Mr. S. Thirunavukkarasu, expelled from AIADMK for ``anti-party'' activities.
Patna High Court disapproves of CBI decision to seek sanction of authorities to file chargesheets against Chief Minister and 55 others in fodder scam case.
21st May
Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar, Mr. Devashish Gupta, removed from office by the State Government following Election Commission directive.
In a departure from rigid non-proliferation policy towards sub- continent, Clinton administration drops demand seeking to roll back nuclear and missile capabilities of India.
22nd May
At least 40 persons are killed and over 300 injured in earthquake which hit Jabalpur city.
23rd May
Bihar's Revenue Minister, Mr. Inder Singh Namdhari, resigns from the Cabinet without giving reason.
The former Union Minister, Dr. Jagannath Mishra decides to boycott the election process of the Congress(I) in Bihar.
Clinton administration formally imposes export curbs on Bharat Electronics Ltd., Bangalore, suspecting it of contributing to country's missile development.
Delhi High Court quashes orders placed by Department of Telecommunications with private companies for supply of equipment during Mr. Sukh Ram's tenure as Communications Minister.
Mr. Rajesh Pilot, CWC member, announces that he will contest for party president.
AIADMK expels from the party all seven Rajya Sabha members who supported Mr. Thirunavukkarasu.
The body of controversial former chief of Tarn Taran district police, Ajit Singh Sandhu, is recovered from rail track near Bhakharpur, about 30 km from Chandigarh.
25th May
Seven Pakistani infiltrators are killed in encounter with BSF in Ranbir Singh Pora.
In a bid to break the deadlock on naming transport corporation after caste leaders in southern districts, Tamil Nadu Government agrees to create a new bus corporation named after Pulithevan.
26th May
India and Peru sign six framework agreements covering cooperation in technical, tourism and agricultural sectors.
27th May
Mr. Ajit Kumar, Secretary (Coordination) in Cabinet Secretariat, will be new Defence Secretary.
Madras High Court orders release on bail of Ms. Sasikala Natarajan and Mr. V. Bhaskaran, her nephew, both accused of FERA violation.
28th May
Special Judge, Mr. V.B. Gupta, discharges Mr. Arjun Singh, Mr. N. D. Tiwari, Mr. Madhavrao Scindia and Mr. R. K. Dhawan, former Union Ministers, in the Jain hawala case.
29th May
Pakistani army fires rockets on Indian defence installations, forward posts and BSF pickets in Mondhar sector of Poonch.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, visits clash-hit southern districts and announces Rs. 10 lakhs for providing relief to victims in addition to Rs. 25 lakhs already disbursed.
30th May
Bihar Chief Minister, Mr. Laloo Yadav serves show-cause notice on returning officer for Janata Dal organisational elections, Mr. Samanta Ray, for defying his directive to hold election in Patna.
31st May
Delhi High Court restrains Janata Dal presidential candidate and Bihar Chief Minister, Mr. Laloo Prasad Yadav, from interfering in poll process.
BJP bags two Assembly seats and East Delhi Lok Sabha seat and Congress(I) wrests Molakalamaru seat in Karnataka in May 29 byelections.
1st Jun
Mr. Laloo Yadav decides to challenge court order restraining him from exercising his powers as party president.
Mr. Ghulam Rasool Wani, National Conference leader, kidnapped and shot dead by militants at Kaskot in Doda district, Jammu.
Union Minister for Forests and Environment, Prof. Saifuddin Soz announces Rs. 9 crore - Central package for afforestation and eco-development in J & K.
2nd Jun
A Saudi Boeing lands at Tambaram IAF airstrip in instead of at nearby Meenambakkam international airport, Chennai.
3rd Jun
Four women Ministers join Union Cabinet.
Madras High Court restrains till June 10 Thirunavukkarasu group of AIADMK from giving effect to its ``general council'' meeting decisions.
4th Jun
Insat-2D, fourth indigenous communications satellite, put into orbit by Ariane launch vehicle from Kourou in French Guyana.
Special Judge, Mr. Ajit Bharihoke, discharges former Prime Minister, Mr. P. V. Narasimha Rao, and former Union Minister, Prof. K. K. Tewary, in St. Kitts forgery case for lack of sufficient evidence.
Defence Ministry denies Washington Post report that India has deployed Prithvi missile on Punjab border with Pakistan.
5th Jun
Mr. I. K. Gujral's visit to Nepal marked by signing of power trade agreement and MoU on civil aviation.
Election Commission fixes July 14 for election of 11th President.
6th Jun
A major concession to Kathmandu - transit facilities through Indian territory to Bangladesh - comes into force.
Ms. Sasikala, associate of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalitha, returns to the latter's residence in Chennai following her discharge from hospital.
Five killed and 17 injured in explosion in a bus in Gurdaspur district of Punjab.
U.S. Congress honours Mother Teresa with a gold medal.
7th Jun
At least 37 persons feared killed in fire in ``yagasala'' at Thanjavur Big Temple.
Delhi Court reschedules Janata Dal presidential election for June 18 (from June 10).
Mr. Pashupati Nath Paras, Bihar Jails Minister and younger brother of Railway Minister, Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan, resigns in protest against sacking of four of his senior colleagues by Chief Minister, Mr. Laloo Prasad Yadav.
8th Jun
Assam Chief Minister, Mr. Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, has narrow escape as a powerful remote-controlled bomb explodes in Maligaon area of Guwahati.
9th Jun
Congress(I) conducts organisational poll in various State headquarters after a gap of 47 years.
Prime Minister effects portfolio changes. Ms. Jayanti Natarajan given charge of Civil Aviation as Minister of State.
At least 50 persons killed and 5,000 families affected in landslip triggered by heavy rain in Gangktok.
CBI files chargesheet against former Union Minister of State for Communications, Mr. Sukh Ram, for amassing assets worth Rs. 5.74 crores beyond his known sources of income.
10th Jun
Eighteen persons killed and 10 wounded by suspected National Liberation Front of Tripura militants at Thalchhara near Agartala.
Tamil Nadu Minister, Mr. Senguttuvan, stripped of HR & CE portfolio and assigned Animal Husbandry.
CBI conducts raids at eight places, including houses of five IAS officers, private secretary to Bihar Chief Minister, Mr. Laloo Yadav and an income-tax official in connection with June fodder scam probe.
11th Jun
Four Commissioner-rank IAS officers, including a retired one, arrested and remanded to CBI custody in connection with fodder scam.
Police fire five rounds to disperse a mob which indulged in violence in Mangapuram area at Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar dt.
12th Jun
Mr. Sitaram Kesri elected president of the Congress(I).
Special Judge, Mr. V. B. Gupta, discharges former Union Ministers - Mr. Kamal Nath, Mr. B. D. Dhakne, Mr. Chand Ram and Mr. Buta Singh - in Jain hawala case.
13th Jun
At least 60 persons feared killed and several injured in a fire in Uphaar Grand cinema in South Delhi.
14th Jun
Rajya Sabha chairman recognises split in AIADMK parliamentary party and designates Jayalalitha-led AIADMK as AIADMK(I) and Thirunavukkarasu group as AIADMK(II).
India says it will not be pressured into making decisions related to Prithvi, pointing out that it has opted to keep missile deployment on hold now.
India expresses regret over ``inadvertent intrusion'' of IAF helicopter into Bangladesh territory.
15th Jun
Delhi High Court restrains former Rajasthan High Court Judge, Mr. Justice N. C. Kochhar, who was earlier appointed to conduct and supervise Janata Dal presidential poll, from going ahead with his work until final order on appeals is pronounced.
Tamil Nadu Government to accord sanction for granting major panchayat status to 99 town panchayats.
16th Jun
Vice-President Mr. K. R. Narayanan is joint candidate of Congress(I) and U.F. for President in July 14 election.
17th Jun
Bihar Governor Dr. A. R. Kidwai, gives green signal to CBI to prosecute Chief Minister, Mr. Laloo Prasad Yadav, Cabinet colleagues, Mr. Bhola Ram Toofani and Mr. Vidya Sagar Nishad, Union Minister, Mr. Chandradeo Prasad Verma, and former Union Minister, Dr. Jagannath Mishra, in fodder scam case.
Madras High Court holds that general council meeting convened by Mr. S. Thirunavukkarasu on June 3 is illegal and void ab initio as he was not authorised to call the meeting.
18th Jun
CBI files appeal before Supreme Court challenging Delhi High Court judgment quashing charges against BJP president, Mr. L. K. Advani, and Congress leader, Mr. Vidya Charan Shukla, in Jain hawala case.
Additional Advocate-General of Bihar, Mr. Shashi Anugraha Narain, resigns on ``moral grounds.''
19th Jun
Supreme Court appoints Mr. Madhu Dandavate and Mr. S. Jaipal Reddy to conduct the election for Janata Dal president by July 3. Prime Minister and his Pakistani counterpart, Mr. Nawaz Sharif, speaking for first time on restored hotline, reiterate their commitment to comprehensive dialogue, including Kashmir.
Mr. Laloo Yadav, apprehending arrest in connection with fodder scam case, seeks anticipatory bail.
Indian flag cargo ship, M. V. Arcadia Pride, sinks in inclement weather, seven nautical miles off Mumbai, leaving four sailors dead and 20 missing.
Mr. Jitendra Prasada, UPCC President, appointed AICC vice- president by Mr. Sitaram Kesri.
20th Jun
Second round of Foreign Secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan starts in Islamabad.
Mr. Chandradeo Prasad Verma resigns from Union Cabinet, following directive from Prime Minister.
Vice-President, Mr. K. R. Narayanan, files nomination papers for Presidential election.
Two blasts rock Sadar Bazar and Chandni Chowk areas of North Delhi.
21st Jun
CBI raids ancestral house of Bihar Chief Minister, Mr. Laloo Yadav, and houses of his two brothers-in-law and their relatives at various places in Gopalganj district in connection with fodder scam case.
22nd Jun
India and Pakistan agree to set up mechanism to address outstanding problems including the J & K issue.
Mr. Laloo Yadav says he will not quit ``even if hanged.''
President, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, promulgates Ordinance validating all out-of-turn allotments of houses made to government servants who fulfilled basic eligibility criteria.
23rd Jun
Prime Minister, Mr. Gujral, advises Bihar Chief Minister to step down from office. But Mr. Yadav denies that P.M. has instructed him to do so.
CBI files first chargesheet covering conspiracy aspect of the fodder scam case against Bihar Chief Minister and 55 others.
India and Pakistan reach accord on formation of joint working groups to address problems in integrated manner.
Communication equipment worth several crores destroyed and Chennai's land and mobile telephone networks thrown out of gear in fire at Anna Road telephone exchange.
24th Jun
Union Cabinet approves proposal for revival of Legislative Council in Tamil Nadu and creation of new one in Punjab.
Madras High Court quashes G.O. dated May 7 regulating admissions for 50 per cent seats under government quota in private unaided arts and science colleges.
25th Jun
Special Judge of CBI designated court rejects anticipatory bail petitions of Mr. Laloo Yadav, Cabinet colleagues, Mr. Bhola Ram Toofani and Mr. Vidya Sagar Nishad, and former Union Minister, Mr. Chandradeo Prasad Verma, in fodder scam case.
International donors and world's major finance institutions pledge $6.7 billion in development aid to India for 1996-97.
U.S. and India sign new bilateral treaty for extradition of fugitive offenders.
26th Jun
India declares its chemical weapon stockpiles and storage facilities as part of its obligations as signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention.
27th Jun
Patna High Court grants anticipatory bail to former Union Minister, Dr. Jagannath Mishra, in fodder scam case.
28th Jun
Supreme Court directs that Mr. Madhu Dandavate alone fix venue for Janata Dal presidential election and conduct poll by July 3.
29th Jun
A top counter-insurgent-turned political activist and two relatives killed in blast at high-security MLAs hostel in Srinagar.
30th Jun
Mr. Joginder Singh, CBI Director, given marching orders, bringing his 11-month-old controversial tenure to sudden end. Mr. R. C. Sharma, Special Director, takes over.
1st Jul
Tamil Nadu Government drops names of leaders and of caste and community leaders given to transport corporations and districts.
Mr. K. Raghunath succeeds Mr. Salman Haidar as Foreign Secretary.
3rd Jul
Tamil actor Sivaji Ganesan gets 1996 Dada Saheb Phalke award for outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.
Pro-Laloo Prasad Yadav group in Janata Dal boycotts elections for party president.
4th Jul
Centre frees from its control nine top public sector undertakings, accounting for over Rs. 10,000 crore profits annually, to become global giants by providing them full financial and operational autonomy.
Government frees five more industries, including newsprint and paper from licensing controls, thereby reducing number of industries under control to nine.
5th Jul
Janata Dal suffers a split with party president and Bihar Chief Minister, Mr. Laloo Prasad Yadav, announcing formation of Rashtriya Janata Dal to counter ``attempts by a section of senior leaders to grab party and humiliate him.''
6th Jul
Mr. Sharad Yadav elected president of Janata Dal.
7th Jul
Armed Kuki militants shoot dead 25 persons and injure five seriously in an attack on Paites village in Manipur.
Mr. Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan sworn in as Chief Justice of Madras High Court.
8th Jul
Thirtythree persons killed and 67 injured as blast rips through part of Ambala-bound train at Lehra Khana station in Batinda district, Punjab.
10th Jul
Mr. Rafiq Sadiq, Congress(I) leader, escapes attempt on life when armed militants ambush motorcade near Achabal in South Anantnag, Kashmir valley.
11th Jul
Ten persons killed as police open fire on Dalit mob which attacked vehicles in protest against desecration of Ambedkar bust in north- east Mumbai.
Special Judge of the CBI Designated Court, Mr. S. K. Lal, rejects anticipatory bail petition of Bihar Chief Minister, Mr. Laloo Yadav.
13th Jul
A mob, allegedly of Shiv Sainiks, attacks and ransacks official residences of Congress leaders, Mr. Chagan Bhujbal and Mr. Madhukar Pichad (Assembly).
Madras High Court approves code, framed and adopted by Supreme Court to ensure judicial accountability and to serve as a guide for judges.
15th Jul
Bihar Chief Minister, Mr. Laloo Yadav, proves majority in Assembly with the help of JMM (M), JMM (S) and 14 independents. Congress(I) abstains from voting held in the midst of chaos and bedlam.
Environmental activist, Mr.Mahesh Chander Mehta, wins Ramon Magsaysay Award.
16th Jul
Bihar Speaker suspends 45 of ruling RJD legislators for five days for disorderly conduct. The MLAs prevent BJP and Samata Party members from voicing their protest against confidence vote taken by Mr. Laloo Yadav.
Ms. V. S. Rama Devi, Secretary-General of Rajya Sabha, appointed Governor of Himachal Pradesh.
Kamal Hassan gets best actor award for ``Indian'' while Tabu bags best actress award for ``Maachis''.
17th Jul
Vice-President, Mr. K. R. Narayanan wins Presidential election by a record margin.
U.F. decides against entry of RJD as Front constituent.
18th Jul
The Union Cabinet decides to implement Fifth Pay Commission recommendations on pay scales and allowances for Central Government employees.
21st Jul
J & K Speaker, Mr. Ali Mohammad Naik, escapes attempt on life but three security guards are killed in a landmine blast near Srinagar.
AIADMK headed by Mr. S. Thirunavukkarasu, recognised by the Speaker as AIADMK (Thirunavukkarasu) in Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Patna High Court restrains the CBI from arresting Bihar Chief Minister, Mr. Laloo Yadav, till disposal of his petition for anticipatory bail in fodder scam case.
23rd Jul
India decides to sign U.N. Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
24th Jul
Patna High Court rejects Mr.Laloo Yadav's anticipatory bail petition. The CBI-designated special court takes cognisance of chargesheet covering conspiracy aspect of fodder scam.
Country's highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna conferred on former interim Prime Minister, Mr. Gulzarilal Nanda and posthumously on freedom-fighter Aruna Asaf Ali.
Bengali litterateur, Ms. Mahasweta Devi, is recipient of this year's Ramon Magsaysay Award for journalism, literature and creative communication arts for her writings on indigenous communities.
Egyptian President, Mr. Hosni Mubarak, is selected for Nehru Award for International Understanding for 1995.
25th Jul
Mr. Laloo Yadav resigns as Bihar Chief Minister after CBI designated court issues an arrest warrant against him in fodder scam case. His wife, Ms. Rabri Devi, is sworn in successor. She becomes first woman Chief Minister of the State.
Supreme Court stays arrest of Mr. Laloo Yadav till July 29 in fodder scam case.
28th Jul
Bihar Chief Minister, Ms. Rabri Devi, proves majority in Assembly.
Opposition-sponsored no-confidence motion against Congress(I) Ministry headed by Mr. Rishang Keishing defeated in Manipur Assembly.
Twelve persons are killed and 69 injured as New Delhi-bound Karnataka Express rams Himsagar Express at Old Faridabad station level- crossing in Haryana.
29th Jul
Supreme Court dismisses bail plea of Mr.Laloo Yadav and Mr. Vidya Sagar Nishad and Mr. Bholaram Toofani, former Ministers of Bihar. CBI orders arrest of Mr. Laloo Yadav.
Ms. Rabri Devi inducts 60 Ministers, including 22 of Cabinet rank, raising strength of her Council of Ministers to 74.
Mr. Laloo Yadav surrenders before CBI designated court and is remanded to judicial custody by special judge.
India to revive `Agni' Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile programme.
Madras High Court, by interim injunction, restrains foreign universities/institutions having offices in India from awarding or conferring any degree on students in the country.
1st Aug
Delhi court orders framing of charges against Janata Dal president, Mr. Sharad Yadav in Jain hawala case.
Lt. Gen. Ved Prakash Malik to be next chief of Army staff. Gen. Shankar Roy Chowdhury retires on September 30.
Centre orders high-level enquiry into conduct of CBI officials who sought army help to arrest Mr. Laloo Yadav after Supreme Court rejected his anticipatory bail application on July 29.
6th Aug
Government withdraws controversial Insurance Regulatory Authority Bill in the face of opposition from BJP, its allies and also Left parties.
Judicial remand of Mr.Laloo Yadav extended to August 20.
7th Aug
Centre fails to get Rajya Sabha approval for Ordinance on Presidential and Vice-Presidential Act 1952.
10th Aug
Mr. Ahmed Patel, Mr. Jitendra Prasada and Mr. Madhavrao Scindia emerge as Congress(I)'s new standard-bearers in CWC elections.
11th Aug
Two explosions rock Chennai, two injured.
Hundreds travelling by Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express from Guwahati have miraculous escape as improvised explosive device planted by suspected Bodo extremists explodes on track near Guwahati.
12th Aug
Mr. Gulshan Kumar of Super Cassette Industries, shot dead by four unidentified persons in north-west Mumbai.
Patna High Court Division Bench disapproves of State Government functioning.
At least 135 persons feared drowned in flash floods in Shimla and Kinnaur districts ofHimachal Pradesh.
14th Aug
Special session of Parliament to commemorate 50 years of independence.
15th Aug
Prime Minister, Mr. Gujral calls for satyagraha against corruption. He is addressing nation from ramparts of Red Fort on Independence Day.
President, Mr. K. R. Narayanan, confers nation's highest peace- time gallantry award Ashok Chakra posthumously on second Lieutenant Puneet Dutta.
16th Aug
Mr. Krishan Kant, Governor of Andhra Pradesh, declared elected Vice-President.
Bodo extremists gun down 13 persons in two villages in Assam's Nalbari district.
17th Aug
Prime Minister, Mr. Gujral, says Queen Elizabeth should not go to Amritsar, scene of Jallianwalla Bagh massacre, during her India visit in October.
19th Aug
Mumbai builder Natwar Shah shot dead by two unidentified assailants at Nariman Point.
20th Aug
Self-styled godman Premananda sentenced by Pudukottai district and sessions court to undergo life imprisonment for two terms and pay Rs. 66.4 lakhs in fine for rape of 13 inmates of his ashram and murder of a male inmate.
Mumbai underworld don Arun Gawli arrested for alleged involvement in the killing of builder.
Lata Mangeshkar receives fifth Rajiv Gandhi national sadbhavana award from President.
21st Aug
Prime Minister seeks to defuse controversy over Queen Elizabeth's visit, suggesting she could go to any part of the country.
Mr. Krishan Kant assumes office as tenth Vice-President.
22nd Aug
Assam police and CRPF arrest four hardcore militants of National Democratic Front of Bodoland.
24th Aug
Indian and Pakistani troops exchange fire in several sectors along Line of Control in J & K.
Forest brigand Veerappan releases eight Karnataka Forest department personnel he held hostage since July 13.
Union Government decides to eliminate the category of ``superfine'' variety of rice for procurement.
25th Aug
No let-up in skirmishes between Indian and Pakistani troops in Uri sector. Pakistani casualties put at 70.
26th Aug
Four-day special session of Parliament begins to discuss agenda for the next millenium.
Commander of Uri sector, Brigadier Jasbir Singh Lidder and another senior army officer have narrow escape as Pakistani troops fire on their cavalcade at Chakori near LOC in J & K.
28th Aug
Jain Commission, which looked into first part of its terms of reference dealing with sequence of events that led to assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, submits interim report to Government.
Stern warning to Pakistan and endorsement of India's foreign policy mark third day of special session of Parliament.
29th Aug
Delhi High Court cancels allotment of petrol pumps and distributorship of cooking gas and kerosene made to 70 persons during Mr. Satish Sharma's tenure as Petroleum Minister.
31st Aug
Lok Sabha creates history with its largest-ever sitting of about 22 hours for a special golden jubilee session debating issues of national importance.
1st Sep
Parliament adopts `Agenda for India', binding political parties to commitment to decriminalise politics and ensure probity in public life at the end of six-day session which, though officially hailed as `historic' left the public cold.
2nd Sep
Delhi court orders framing of charges against former Lok Sabha Speaker and Congress(I) leader, Mr. Balram Jakhar in Jain hawala case.
4th Sep
Mr. Madhavrao Scindia, Mr. Tariq Anwar, Mrs. Meira Kumar, Mr. Oscar Fernandes and Mr. R. R. Dhawan appointed AICC general- secretaries by party president Mr. Sitaram Kesri.
6th Sep
Mother Teresa (87), dies in Calcutta
7th Sep
Banned Maoist Communist Centre guns down at least 30 CPI(ML- Liberation) activists, including district committee members and workers, at Ankendar village, 40 km from the district headquarters of Chatra in Bihar.
9th Sep
Mr. G. K. Moopanar, president, Tamil Maanila Congress and his party colleagues, Ms. Jayanthi Natarajan, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, and Mr. Peter Alphonse, resign Rajya Sabha membership. A sequel to a petition filed by Shiv Sena member, Mr. Sanjay Nirupam, seeking their disqualification ``for defecting from Congress(I).''
Designated court decides to frame charges against 49 persons, including Shiv Sena Supremo, Mr. Bal Thackeray, BJP president Mr. L. K. Advani and former U.P. Chief Minister, Mr. Kalyan Singh, in cases relating to ``Babri Masjid'' demolition in Ayodhya on Dec. 6, 1992.
11th Sep
Month-long impasse arising from differences over Fifth Pay Commission's report ended following agreement between the Government and employees union. Forty lakh Central Government employees decide to drop strike plan.
13th Sep
Grieving India lays to rest Mother Teresa in state funeral in Calcutta, in which pomp and splendour is combined with religious rites.
14th Sep
Pakistan asks India to withdraw two staffers from its mission in Islamabad in retaliation for Indian request for a similar pullout from Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.
Fire and explosions devastate terminals and storage tanks at Visakh Refinery of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation. Toll put at 51.
TNCC(I) suspends Mr. Vazhapadi K. Ramamurthy, former president of the State unit, for ``anti-party'' activities.
78 persons die and around 250 are injured as 4 bogies of Ahmedabad-Howrah Express derail while crossing a bridge on Hasdeo river in Bilaspur district, Madhya Pradesh.
15th Sep
Prasar Bharati Act comes into force, seeking to free Doordarshan and Akashvani from government control.
17th Sep
Union Finance Minister, Mr. P. Chidambaram rated Asia's best Finance Minister by London-based financial publication `Euromoney'.
20th Sep
President, Mr. K. R. Narayanan, inaugurates first Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law university in Chennai.
Ms. Mayawati resigns as Chief Minister of U.P. to make way for BJP leader Mr. Kalyan Singh, to head BSP-BJP coalition Government.
21st Sep
Mr. Kalyan Singh sworn in Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. 44 BJP-BSP Ministers administered oath of office by Governor, Mr. Romesh Bhandari.
Maruti Udyog Limited's annual general meeting retains present Chairman, Mr. Probir Sengupta, and ratifies appointment of Mr. R.S.S.L.N. Bhaskarudu as managing director.
Mr. I. K. Gujral and Mr. Nawaz Sharif discuss recent flare-up on Line of Control and firing across the border in New York. The two agree such sources of tension should not be allowed.
24th Sep
Prime Minister, Mr. I. K. Gujral, addressing U.N. General Assembly, formally states India's claim to permanent membership of Security Council.
25th Sep
Two new judges of Supreme Court, Mr. Justice Madhavachari Srinivasan, Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, and Mr. Justice Sanjeevalu Rajendra Babu of Karnataka High Court were sworn in by Chief Justice of India, Mr. J. S. Verma.
Delhi court frames formal charges against former Prime Minister, Mr. P. V. Narasimha Rao, and 19 others in Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MPs' bribery case.
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Mr. S. Jaipal Reddy declared elected to Rajya Sabha.
29th Sep
India joins exclusive club of nations capable of launching heavier class of satellites, with the successful blast-off of PSLV-C1; country's first operational polar satellite launch vehicle from Sriharikota Range in Andhra Pradesh.
30th Sep
At least 20 civilians are killed and over 30 injured in unprovoked firing by Pakistani troops on Kargil town in J&K.
Gen. V. P. Malik takes over from Gen. Shankar Roychowdhury as Chief of Army Staff.
1st Oct
Mr. Gerhard Fischer, social worker, is nominated for Gandhi peace prize. The 76-year-old German ``Ambassador of Humanity'' was unanimously chosen for the prize for social, economic and political transformation through non-violence.
2nd Oct
At least 50 Pakistan soldiers are killed and several injured in retaliatory firing by Indian troops in Nowgam, Uri and Kupwara sectors. Firing has been intermittent along LoC.
4th Oct
Two top executives of Turkish firm Karsan, accused in Rs. 133- crore urea import scam case, are remanded to police custody.
5th Oct
Country's new communication satellite, INSAT-2D launched four months ago, is abandoned following further problems.
India's first woman police officer, Ms. Kiran Bedi, is awarded Joseph Beuys prize for her work in reforming country's largest prison.
7th Oct
British High Commissioner in India, Sir David Gore-Booth, makes it clear Queen Elizabeth II, during Amritsar visit, would not ``apologise'' for 1919 massacre at Jallianwalla Bagh, but as a gesture would lay wreath.
9th Oct
Forest brigand Veerappan kidnaps 21 persons and later releases 13 tourists. He detains 6 - Dr. Mythi of Indian Institute of Horticulture Research Centre, Bangalore, two drivers, pumpset attender and two photographers.
12th Oct
Queen Elizebeth II, accompanied by husband Duke of Edinburgh, arrives in New Delhi on week-long State visit to mark India's 50th anniversary of Independence.
14th Oct
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visit Amritsar, spend time at Jallianwala Bagh and Golden Temple complex.
Delhi court remands top executives of Turkish firm, Karsan Mr. Tuncay Alankus, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, and Mr. Cihan Karanci, Vice-President, to judicial custody till 28 in urea scam case.
15th Oct
Ms. Arundhati Roy, (37) Delhi-based author wins Britain's most prestigious literary award, Booker Prize, for her novel ``The God of Small Things''
16th Oct
Gold, silver imports liberalised further.
Queen Elizabeth visits Kalakshetra where she witnesses Bharatanatyam show, and film shooting at MGR Film City, Taramani in Chennai. She also goes to Kancheepuram and Sriperumbudur (Rajiv Gandhi memorial).
19th Oct
BSP withdraws support to Kalyan Singh Government in Uttar Pradesh because of its ``anti-Dalit policies''.
21st Oct
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr. Kalyan Singh, wins majority support for his Government in Assembly securing 222 votes.
Union Cabinet resolves to invoke Article 356 of Constitution to dismiss Kalyan Singh Government in Uttar Pradesh. Assembly is to be dissolved and State to be brought under President's rule.
Forest brigand Veerappan releases six persons after keeping them captive for 13 days.
22nd Oct
Faced-with unprecedented Presidential rebuff, a divided U.F. Government reverses decision on invoking Article 356 in Uttar Pradesh. Kalyan Singh Government survives.
23rd Oct
Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka set deadline for sandalwood smuggler Veerappan to surrender.
24th Oct
Prime Minister, Mr. I. K. Gujral, and British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair take major step towards repairing relationship that began to look increasingly frayed. Mr. Blair declares ``Britain will not interfere in Kashmir''.
27th Oct
Mr. Dilip Parikh, Industries Minister, is sworn in Gujarat Chief Minister, Mr. Parikh was unanimously elected leader of Rashtriya Janata Party legislature wing.
31st Oct
Autonomous Prasar Bharati with enough muscle to get Government off its back is promised by Union Information and Broadcasting Minister, Mr. Jaipal Reddy, while announcing changes to Prasar Bharati Act in New Delhi.
Mr. Balmiki Prasad Singh takes over as Union Home Secretary. He succeeds Mr. K. Padmanabhaiah.
2nd Nov
Gujral Government draws up balance-sheet showing substantial progress in almost all sectors of economy.
3rd Nov
India presents G-15 with agenda for a fair deal in Kuala Lumpur. India calls upon Group of 15 developing countries to ``build convergences among nations and encourage G-7 to pursue structured and issue-based dialogue with us''.
American Consulate-General in Chennai starts issuing visitor's visa with 10-year validity.
J.K. Seth Committee on Aviation Safety has recommended that the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) be reorganised and Aircraft Act rewritten.
Union Government plans to release 40 lakh new LPG gas connections as also 40 lakh double cylinder connections during current financial year.
4th Nov
Guddi, world's shortest woman standing just one metre above the ground, gives birth to 4th child.
Formal trial in Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MPs' bribery case begins. Star prosecution witness, Mr. Shailendra Mahto tells court that Mr. P. V. Narasimha Rao and Congress(I) president, Mr. Sitaram Kesri, requested him and other 3 JMM leaders to vote against the no-confidence motion faced by the Rao Government on July 28, 1993.
UNESCO has named 8 scientists laureates of the five 1997 science prizes for their contribution. Prof. Dorairajan Balasubramanian (58), Director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology of Hyderabad has been named Laureate of Kalinga prize - for popularisation of Science.
6th Nov
Chief Executives of public sector banks and Finance Minister, Mr. P. Chidambaram, after a meeting in New Delhi, decide to grant greater administrative autonomy to select public sector banks.
Supreme Court acquits Mr. Kalpanath Rai, former Union Minister for Power and Food held under TADA for alleged harbouring of an accused in ``1992 Bombay J.J. Hospital shootout case''.
7th Nov
RBI Governor, Dr. Chakravarti Rangarajan has been appointed new Governor of Andhra Pradesh. Dr. Bimal Jalan, Member-Secretary, Planning Commission, will take over as RBI Governor.
Central and State Security forces fan out to remote hill areas of Tripura's Dhalai district, where 21 people, including nine BSF jawans were killed by banned National Liberation Front of Tripura guerillas.
8th Nov
Designated Court-II acquits 15 of 17 accused in Padmanabha murder case including former DMK Minister, Mrs. Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan, former Home Secretary, Mr. R. Nagarajan, and Mr. V. Ravichandran, brother of MDMK leader, Mr. V. Gopalsami.
India Today publishes portions of interim report of Jain Commission. The panel indicts DMK for ``encouraging and assisting'' LTTE whose cadres have been blamed for murder of Rajiv Gandhi.
9th Nov
DMK on the defensive about disclosures by Mr. Justice M. C. Jain.
10th Nov
Nearly 80 activists of Samajwadi Party and 20 police personnel are injured in clashes during SP dharna to press for release of innocent persons detained under TADA in Uttar Pradesh.
12th Nov
India elected to executive board of UNESCO.
13th Nov
Rashtriya Janata Party Ministry in Gujarat survives vote of confidence with support of Congress(I) and some Independents.
14th Nov
Union Minister of State for Defence and president of TheHindu Office and National Press Employees Union from 1969, Mr. N. V. N. Somu, dies in Army Helicopter crash at Tezpur in Arunachal Pradesh.
10th International film festival for children and young people ambles into Hyderabad atop Gajju, the delightful elephant mascot - About 125 from 30 countries will be screened.
16th Nov
Sandalwood smuggler Veerappan offers to surrender.
Maharasthra Chief Minister, Manohar Joshi, presents Jamanlal Bajaj Awards. Dr. Young Seek Chove from South Korea given International Award for Promoting Gandhian values outside India. Mr. R. K. Patil receives award for outstanding constructive work. Award for application of science and technology for rural development goes to Prof. Katagihallimath.
17th Nov
Extremists of People's War Group blast landmines and open fire on a police team killing Deputy Superintendent, circle inspector, four constables and a civilian between Shivampet and Pillutla villages in Andhra Pradesh.
18th Nov
Ms. Puttaveeramma of Ishwatha Ashrama Vidyaranyapuram, Vishveshwara Nagar, Mysore, has been conferred `Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award 1997' for life-long exemplary service to poor deserted women and in particular deaf and dumb girl children.
U.S. Secretary of State, Ms. Madeleine Albright, arrives in New Delhi. Ms. Albright says she raised `all-important issue of terrorism with Pakistan's top leadership'.
19th Nov
U.S. Secretary of State, Ms. Albright's talks with PM, Mr. Gujral, carries forward momentum of strategic dialogue initiated earlier at various levels.
Twentytwo persons killed and 30 injured when car bomb explodes outside film studio in Jubilee Hills area of Hyderabad. The deceased include Eanadu TV crew of six.
1996 Indira Gandhi prize for peace, disarmament and development presented to Medicins Sans Frontieres, non-government organisation, providing medical aid to the needy across the globe, by President, Mr. K. R. Narayanan, on the 80th birth anniversary of Indira Gandhi.
20th Nov
Interim report of Jain Commission tabled in Parliament. Report alleges nexus between DMK and LTTE. Congress (I) Working Committee gives party president, Mr. Sitaram Kesri, mandate to take up the issue of removing DMK ministers immediately. Otherwise Congress (I) says it would be difficult for it to support Government.
DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, dubs interim report of Jain Commission ``politically motivated'' and asserts that there was no valid reason for DMK ministers in Gujral Government to quit.
Palestinian leader Mr. Yasser Arafat arrives in New Delhi. India and Palestinian National Authority take stock of stalled West Asia peace process. Two sides sign first umbrella Memorandum of Understanding.
Combative Congress (I) pressing for DMK's ouster from U.F. Government does not allow Parliament to function after Jain Commission's report and Action Taken Report were tabled in two houses.
21st Nov
UF rejects Congress (I) demand for ouster of DMK ministers.
22nd Nov
Mr. Yasser Arafat, President, Palestinian National Authority, lays foundation stone for Indo-Arab cultural centre at Hyderabad.
23rd Nov
Mumbai-born Miss India, 24-year-old Ms. Diana Hayden, beat 85 contestants from around the world to be crowned new Miss World at ceremony at Mahe (Seychelles).
24th Nov
Gujral writes to Kesri suggesting possible dialogue between two sides, exploring possibility of way out of impasse, but categorically turns down demand for exclusion of DMK ministers.
Former RBI Governor Dr. C. Rangarajan sworn in Governor of Andhra Pradesh in Hyderabad.
25th Nov
Election Commission derecognises Janata Party and Congress (Tiwari) as national parties and derecognises Pattali Makkal Katchi in Tamil Nadu, J & K Panthers Party and J & K People's Conference in Jammu and Kashmir, Indian Congress (Socialist) in Kerala and Manipur and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in Tamil Nadu. Pattali Makkal Katchi will continue to be recognised as State party in Pondicherry.
26th Nov
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, scientific advisor to Defence Minister, chosen for Bharat Ratna.
28th Nov
Seven-month-old U.F. Government headed by Prime Minister, Mr. Gujral, bows out of office.
30th Nov
BJP stakes tentative claim to form Government at the Centre during meeting with President, Mr. K. R. Narayanan.
Tension in Coimbatore as mobs go on rampage and even some policemen in mufti adopt belligerent posture following murder of constable on duty.
1st Dec
At least 61 persons, including 22 women and 17 children, belonging to SC and extremely backward communities are gunned down by banned private army of feudal landlords, Ranbir Sena, at Bathe-Lakshmanpur village in Bihar's Jehanabad district.
India re-elected to executive council of International Maritime Organisation for two years (1997-99) Mr. Pinto, M.P., from India, has also been elected vice-chairman of council.
Lok Sabha adjourns sine die for second time in a week after it met for a short while for tabling Prime Minister, Mr. I. K. Gujral's resignation letter and some reports.
4th Dec
Lok Sabha has been dissolved with immediate effect and new House is to be constituted by March 15 next.
World Bank commits to Haryana a loan of $600 millions (about Rs. 2,350 crores) - largest single Bank loan to any State.
5th Dec
Bangarappa quits Congress(I), charging Mr. Sitaram Kesri with helping in finishing off party by encouraging groupism.
6th Dec
Nine persons killed and over 60 injured in bomb blasts in three trains which left Chennai. Blasts occurred in Tiruchi, Erode (Tamil Nadu) and Thrissur in Kerala.
10th Dec
Mr. Salman Haidar appointed India's High Commissioner to Britain. He succeeds Mr. M. L. Singhvi.
11th Dec
Bihar Chief Minister, Mrs. Rabri Devi, makes it to Legislative Council defeating lone rival, Ms. Savithri Devi.
14th Dec
Congress(I) leader, Mr. Sitaram Kesri, and Rashtriya Janata Dal president, Mr. Laloo Prasad Yadav, meet over dinner to discuss prospects of electoral alliance.
15th Dec
Stand-off between Chief Election Commissioner, Dr. M. S. Gill and Election Commissioner, Mr. G.V.G. Krishnamurthy, over Shiv Sena issue worsens with the latter proceeding on leave for 9 days.
Orissa Janata Dal unit splits with 29 of 43 Legislature Party members forming `Biju Janata Dal'.
Magsaysay award winning litterateur Mahasweta Devi, Sitar Maestro Annapurna Devi and Rabindra Sangeet exponent Suchitra Mitra honoured with `Desikottam' by Visva Bharati University.
16th Dec
Madras High Court indicts former Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalitha, for her decision to disinvest TIDCO shares in SPIC in favour of Mr. M. A. Chidambaram and Mr. A. C. Muthiah.
25-member United Front Ministry, headed by Mr. Wahengbam Nipamacha, sworn in at Imphal.
Ms. Mamata Banerjee, Congress(I) rebel, declares that she would seek recognition and separate symbol for her ``Trinamul Congress'' and contest elections on her own.
17th Dec
BJP and AIADMK strike alliance for Lok Sabha polls in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.
Wrangling between two constitutional functionaries in Election Commission ends, with Election Commissioner, Mr. G.V.G. Krishnamurthy, cancelling his protest leave and resuming work.
18th Dec
Supreme Court frees CBI from restraint in investigating cases of corruption in high places, vests superintendence in Central Vigilance Commission and directs fixed tenure of at least two years for its director.
19th Dec
Congress(I) and Rashtriya Janata Party of Gujarat reach agreement in principle to have alliance. Congress(I) also appears to have reached understanding on seat-sharing in Punjab with BSP.
21st Dec
Samata Party of Mr. George Fernandes to have alliance with BJP at the national level in Lok Sabha polls.
22nd Dec
Ms. Mamata Banerjee, rebel party MP, is expelled from Congress(I) resulting in split in West Bengal unit.
23rd Dec
Former Union Minister, Mr. P. R. Kumaramangalam quits Congress(I).
24th Dec
Congress(I) leaders Mr. P. R. Kumaramangalam and Mr. Aslam Sher Khan join BJP.
Congress(I) splits in Bihar with, Dr. Jagannath Mishra and Ram Lakhan Singh Yadav floating regional outfit, ``Bihar Jan Congress''.
25th Dec
Gujarat Assembly is dissolved.
RJP rebels form new party.
Prime Minister, Mr. I. K. Gujral is to contest Lok Sabha elections from Jalandhar, seat offered by ruling Akali Dal in Punjab.
Nearly 90 former Army Generals and senior defence officers join BJP.
26th Dec
Four MPs - Mr. Suresh Kalmadi from Pune, Mr. Anadi Charan Sahu from Cuttack, Mr. Mohan Delkar from Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Mr. Gopal Tandel from Daman & Diu resign from Congress(I).