Convict Queen
Though AIADMK leader Jayalalitha was debarred from contesting the elections on grounds of her conviction in a corruption case, she was sworn in as chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Will her aggressive game plan work? And should popular mandate overrule judicial verdicts?

Great Call Of China
Indian entrepreneurs are eagerly joining the swiftly growing queue to set up shop in China.
The land once considered forbidden has suddenly become
the hottest destination for Indian businessmen.

Looking East
Atal Bihari Vajpayee's visit to Malaysia may have achieved little on Quattrochi's extradition and India's greater ties with ASEAN, but it showed there is more to their bilateral relations than these two issues.

Mother's Day
Stalinist methods played a vital role in the humiliating finale of M. Karunanidhi's dynastic ambition.

Readying For Nukes For the first time after India became a nuclear power, the Army stages a nuclear war game to check preparedness.

DEFENCE: CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF

A Tough Task Ahead For Government

Another reason for considerable heartburn in the military establishment is that the CDS will have a maximum two-year tenure or will serve till he reaches 62 years of age. So if appointed CDS, Admiral Kumar will be at the helm of military affairs for another year, instead of retiring on December 30 this year. Even Air Chief Marshal Tipnis, who is a day junior to Admiral Kumar, will extend his tenure by a year if selected for the top slot. Army chief General S. Padmanabhan, however, doesn't gain any time as he was appointed chief at a comparatively older age and will turn 62 in one year and eight months. General Padmanabhan has apparently conveyed to the powers that be that the army would like to skip the inaugural slot.

Besides the inter-service rivalry, the Government's hands were also tied down by the political parties. At the last meeting of the Defence Ministry's Standing Committee, Madhavrao Scindia, deputy leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, pointed out that the Government should take the opposition into confidence over the CDS as the move has larger ramifications on the defence establishment. The Opposition was understandably concerned over reports on the sharp divide within the military establishment and the air force's strident opposition to the post.

Now, after weeks of intense debate, what began as a relatively easy process, may take months to resolve.

KISSA KURSI KA: THE DEBATE OVER WHO WILL BE THE FIRST AMONG EQUALS CONTINUES

ARMY

GENERAL S. PADMANABHAN: Favours the concept of a CDS but is himself uninterested in the job. Has only one year and eight months left before retirement. An advocate of jointmanship, integrated vision and actionable intelligence, he feels a CDS is the need of the hour to synergise operations. Wants the army to fill slot of vice-chief of defence staff.

NAVY

ADMIRAL SUSHIL KUMAR: Current chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee. Keen to become the CDS. It also means he gets an extra year in office. Wants the strategic forces to come under the CDS and believes that the navy is the key to India's nuclear capability. Was miffed that the cabinet did not approve his name. With the CDS controversy intensifying, has informed defence minister of his desire to opt out of the race.

AIR FORCE

AIR CHIEF MARSHAL A.Y. TIPNIS: Opposed to the post of the CDS believing it will add an unnecessary layer to the decision-making process and marginalise the role of the air force. Feels that if a CDS is appointed he should only be involved in planning and leave operational matters to the individual service HQs. Believes that all the nuclear delivery systems should come under the air force umbrella.

MetroScape

Delhi Cinema:
"Flicks Down Under"

Mumbai Restaurant:
Karma

Kolkata Restaurant:
Teej

The Madhya Pradesh governor orders a CBI inquiry into a land allotment by the chief minister to the Nai Duniya group, kicking off a constitutional crisis. INDIA TODAY Special Correspondent Neeraj Mishra reports in
Conflict Of Interest.