CHRONOLOGY
Chronology of the Month (16 April 15 May, 1996)
NATIONAL POLITICS
Constitution: Supreme Court leaves it to the Constitutional Bench to decide the issue of use of religion in election (16 April).
General Election: Held in three phases (27 April, 2 May and 7 May), results in a hung parliament, as universally predicted, with the BJP emerging as the single largest party, the Congress as the second and the L.F. as the third (10 May). Lok Sabha dissolved (11 May). New Lok.
Sabha formally constituted (15 May).
Formation of Government: P.M. Narasimha Rao resigns (10 May). Congress Parliamentary Party re-elects Rao as Leader, despite the anti-Rao campaign. Congress CWC and then PP decided to oppose BJP and support 'secular forces' on forming the government (12 May). Congress offers to support CPM Leader Jyoti Basu as P.M. of a LF-JD Government. CPM decides against leading or even
participating in the coalition government (13 May). BJP seeks support of DMK, TDP, AGP (Tamil Nadu, AP and Assam) but fails. Akali Dal pledges support to BJP (13 May). Third Front under leadership of Deve Gowda, consisting of JD, SP, LF, DMK, TMC, TDP, AGP and
Congress (Tewari) stakes claim to form government and seeks Congress support (14 May). Congress extends written support (15 May). Shiv Sena leader Thackeray threatens 'chaos' if BJP-Shiv Sena not allowed to form government. In the meantime, President Sharma invites BJP Leader A.B. Vajpayee to form government (15 May). Move criticised by many jurists.
Congress: P.M. Narasimha Rao warns against tinkering with personal law (2 April).
JD: Manifesto released (15 April).
Left Parties: CPI and CPM differ on joining coalition government.
BJP: Vajpayee denies any switch on Hindutva (18 April). Advani's Yatra receives lukewarm response (21 April). Vajpayee threatens to prosecute Rao, when in power (22 April). BJP restores Ayodhya issue to Centre stage by insisting on mentioning it in party's election speech on AIR (24 April).
Corruption: Governor Sheila Kaul resigns for alleged involvement in Housing Scam (21 April). Assam: CM Saikia passes away (21 April). AGP wins elections and forms government (15 May).
Muslim Politics: Qaumi Mushawarat Committee appeals to Muslims to support Congress candidates in the absence of effective candidates of other secular parties, in order to defeat BJP (26 April). Shahi Imam's
Advisory Council appeals to Muslims to defeat communal and anti-national forces by voting for formidable secular party/group in the State'. Largely interpreted as support to Congress, though some members of Council reject Congress credentials as secular party (19 April). Abdullah Bukhari confirms 'no support to any party' (21 April). BJP complains to Election Commission (20 April). Maulana A.K. Parekh rules out third force and appeals to Muslims to distinguish between those who demolished Babari Masjid and those who could not
protect it (22 April). All India Religious Leaders Conference supports secular forces (25 April). All India Tablighe-Seerat supports Congress (3 May). Bombay Ullema Council supports secular alliance. Majlis-e- Ulema Bihar supports Congress (4 May). Congress actively courts Muslim theologians and divines for
support. Shahabuddin reiterates call for support constituency-wise to the strongest secular candidate.
KASHMIR SITUATION
Political: Hurriyat leaders arrested in Srinagar on way to Army Hqrs. in Srinagar to serve Quit Kashmir notice (18 April). Hectic preparations made for Lok Sabha election in State. Hurriyat leaders attacked by 'militant elements" (9 May). Government employees begin 18 day strike (13 May). Hurriyat alleges conspiracy to blow up its Hqrs. (14 May).
International: "OIC Contact group issues pro-Pakistan declaration. India accuses OIC of encouraging terrorism.
* US State Dept's Annual Report on Terrorism alleges official Pakistan support to militants".
BABARI MASJID QUESTION
Maintenance of Status-quo at site: Supreme Court stays Allahabad H.C. order. Lifting restriction on Darshan and Pooja in make-shift temple (23 April) and permits an appeal against the H.C. Order (10 May). Singhal arrested while defying order.
OTHER MATTERS OF CONCERN
Wakf: Government seeks extension of time for demolition of unlawful Wuzukhana in Jama Masjid (22 April). H.C. grants 3-week extension (23 April). Wuzukhana demolished (11 May). Proposed construction of another Wuzukhana challenged. Id Greeting: President Sharma extends Id greetings to Muslim community (28 April).
Commemoration: Seminar held in Hapur to commemorate 125th birth anniversary of Baba-e-Urdu Moulvi Abdul Haque. Urs of Khwaja Hasan Nizami in Delhi (6 May).
Obituary: Eminent academician Rasheeduddin Khan, 72, passes away in New Delhi. Condolence meeting (4 May) attended, among others, by V.P. K.R. Narayanan, Karan Singh, I.K. Gujral, V.C. Upendra Buxi and Abid Husain.
