Two Winners And A Photo Finish
According to the INDIA TODAY-ORG-MARG opinion poll, there will be clear winners in two states, but a tight finish in a third.

The Last Rampage
To offset
J. Jayalalitha's slight edge, a pugnacious M. Karunanidhi gives it his all in what is his final electoral campaign.

The Sixth Sense
A mercurial Mamata Banerjee vs a dependable Buddhadev Bhattacharya. The mismatch leaves the Left Front with a premonition of victory.

Secular Stake
Even as the Church makes a blatant move to play a more political role in the state, the CPI(M) nominates a priest to woo minorities.

One Man Barmy
India's apex social sciences facilitating body is rocked by civil war: the chairman says he is being opposed by both RSS ideologues and leftist academics.

Changing Order
An ageing profile and a frustrated officer corps leads the force to consider VRS and restructuring.

Liquid Asset
The Rs 700-crore industry has attracted many players. Now, purity will decide who stays in business.

Board Of No Control
Tax authorities say the BCCI spends more money on meetings than on matches.

COVER STORY: ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS 2001

OPINION POLL: AIADMK AHEAD BY A WHISKER

There are many paradoxical elements to this year's Tamil Nadu poll. There is no apparent anti-incumbency sentiment, M. Karunanidhi is clearly the preferred choice as leader and the prime minister's personal rating is very high. Yet, in a bitterly contested election, J. Jayalalitha's AIADMK alliance has a small edge. The AIADMK appears to be well ahead in southern Tamil Nadu and the DMK is holding on to Chennai. Contrary to conventional belief, the aiadmk may do well among Dalits. Though the last minute desertion of the MDMK could prove very costly for the DMK, the final tally will depend substantially on turnout and election day management.

Quality Of Life

Issues That Will Determine Voting

Voting Pattern

Performance Of State Government

All figures in per cent. The responses may not add up to hundred because of multiple responses or elimination of insignificant categories.

MetroScape

Bond Free
The Savoy in Mussoorie must be the only hotel, apart from the Raffles in Singapore, to have a thing about writers. So, it was quite kismet when publisher Pramod Kapoor of Roli Books and author Namita Gokhale, who has an imprint with him, hosted the Ruskin Bond Festschrift—a Writers' Retreat in honour of that gentle Indian Roald Dahl, Ruskin Bond.
more...

Looking Glass

Delhi Cinema:
Canadian film festival

Delhi Art Fest:
Documenta

Bangalore Play:
Little Theatre