Top 10 Colleges
Of India
As admission time approaches, students face the dilemma of making a choice from among the 10,000-odd colleges. INDIA TODAY-Gallup's fifth survey ranks the centres of excellence on key factors. The best in Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, Medicine and Engineering.

Foreign Policy Privatised
Leaked letters in London imply that Brajesh Mishra, principal secretary to the prime minister, trusted the Hindujas more than the Indian High Commission. The brothers even negotiated with Prime Minister Tony Blair on CTBT.

The Heat Is On
The Raja of Bihar is in trouble again. The CBI has filed yet another chargesheet against him in the multi-crore fodder scam, this time in Jharkhand. A non-bailable arrest warrant issued against him has Laloo in a panic.

Fuzzy Logic
Key nations, including India, are briefed by aides of Bush on the new nuclear doctrine he proposes, but find that there are more questions than answers.

Consumed By Hunger
Maharashtra has a surfeit of foodgrain. Yet, over 500 infants have died in Nandurbar district since January this year of malnutrition and related complications.

STATES: BIHAR

CAUSE OF REBELLION
Dynastic Dream

	FATHER'S PUPPET: Laloo is not averse to Misa succeeding Rabri

Four years ago, when paramilitary forces surrounded 1 Anne Marg in Patna to arrest the then chief minister Laloo Prasad Yadav, he called an emergency meeting of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Legislature Party and anointed his wife Rabri Devi as his successor. Last week, most politicians, especially from the Opposition, thought history was repeating itself-this time as a farce.

Shortly after the CBI filed a chargesheet against Laloo in Ranchi, the RJD chief called a meeting of party leaders. While Laloo's sympathisers formed strategies, his numerous political foes spread word that Bihar's first couple were planning to prop up Misa Bharati, their eldest daughter, as the chief minister. Laloo's supporters were quick to rubbish the claims but BJP's Sushil Kumar Modi and rebel RJD leader Nagmani warned of a revolt by the people if Laloo tried to perpetuate family rule again.

Their apprehensions of dynastic succession aren't exactly out of place. There is every possibility that the chief minister and her predecessor serve a jail term-Rabri in the disproportionate assets case and Laloo in cases related to the fodder scam. Besides, Laloo may have fuelled the fire inadvertently when in a TV interview he hinted at the possibility of Misa, a medical graduate, succeeding Rabri if the party legislators so desired. Immediately afterwards, Modi had called on Governor V.C. Pandey to urge him to maintain the dignity of the Constitution and not to administer oath to Misa if he was approached by RJD legislators.

Indeed, it is "parivarvad" or family rule that has been the bane of the RJD. Dissidence was virtually unheard of till Laloo foisted his wife upon the party. The dissidents' main grudge against Rabri's four-year rule is that the state has slipped from bad to worse. However, most leaders have nothing personal against Rabri and leaders like Nagmani are ready to praise Laloo for his common touch and administrative acumen. Yet they would prefer a chief minister who doesn't offer blank looks when approached by legislators and ministers to discuss official matters.

—Farzand Ahmed

MetroScape

Summer Of 2001
Flippant and elusive, he can best be described by what he is not. Meet
Bryn Adams in an uncharacteristically forthcoming mood.
more...

Looking Glass

Delhi Concert:
"United for Gujarat"

Mumbai Ceramics:
Zareen Mistry

Mumbai Club Music:
Melting Pot