Say Hello to Another
Scam
The raging corporate war over the introduction of limited mobility telephone services has turned political, with the Prime Minister's Office being charged with subverting the regulatory system and favouring a few business houses. An INDIA TODAY investigation looks at the conflict between the sanctimonious claims and the grim reality.

Ballot Boxwallahs
The approaching assembly elections have brought to life five states which are set to witness a stiff fight and whose results can have a big impact on all major parties. A profile of the prime contenders who could tilt the balance either way.

Fall From Grace
Despite a triple-digit growth in net profits of Infosys Technologies and Satyam Computers, the stock prices of the two companies have plunged. Is it the gloomy forecast for software companies that's hammering down the prices?

Unnatural Alliance
The CNG controversy has taken a new turn, with doubts being raised about the propriety of the Delhi Government's selection of Nugas as the sole supplier of the conversion kit.

The Doon Boom
The city that houses Doon School is now playing host to a whole array of new education barons--with big money and even bigger ambitions.

ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS 2001

Kerala
FIRST AMONG UNEQUALS

He is no intellectual giant like E.M.S. Namboodiripad, nor does he have the charisma of E.K. Nayanar. And unlike these former CPI(M) chief ministers from upper caste and feudal families, he is from a lower caste and class.

But today, this high-school dropout is the most powerful man in Kerala politics, thanks to his phenomenal organisational skills. He is convener of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and despite having no ideological airs, is the editor of party organ Desabhimani. Yet, Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan-78, veteran of the legendary Punnapra-Vayalar peasant uprising and politburo member for a decade now-has never even been a minister in his six decades of politics.

KEEPING FINGERS CROSSED: Antony (right) is the only obstacle in Achuthanandan's way

"VS" missed the big job on two occasions despite being projected as the CPI(M) chief ministerial aspirant. First, in 1991, when the LDF lost the election, thanks to the post-Rajiv Gandhi sympathy wave. In 1996, Achuthanandan was defeated by a lowly Congressman in Mararikkulam, where the CPI(M) had never tasted defeat. The villain? The CPI(M)'s inhouse trade union lobby which abhorred Achuthanandan. This time the man is leaving nothing to chance. He is the only politburo member in the fray and has moved to Malampuzha, the CPI(M)'s fortress in Palakkad district.

Now the only person he needs to take care of is Arakkaparambil Kurianpillai Antony, the Congress frontrunner for the chief minister's post. Starting his career as a student activist in the late 1950s against the first communist government, Antony's rise was meteoric thanks to his clean image. At 32, this law graduate became the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee's youngest president; at 37, its youngest chief minister. At 60, Mr Clean wants his job back. He hopes K. Karunakaran (see box), his senior colleague and traditional rival in the party, won't put a spanner in the works.

Karunakaran always had the high command's ear, thanks to his proximity to Indira and Rajiv Gandhi. But with Sonia Gandhi the equations have changed, with the lady showing a clear preference for Antony. This is what makes Antony so confident. Now if only Achuthanandan would oblige.

-M.G. Radhakrishnan

MetroScape

Wealth Of Art
April 8 saw an unabashed get together of Mumbai's Who's Who when the annual Harmony Show, well known as "Tina Ambani's baby", celebrated its sixth showing at the Nehru Centre.
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Looking Glass

Bangalore Hotel:
Park.hotel

Mumbai Store:
Regent Watch and Jewellery Boutique

A war of words is on at the Jammu border where India is trying to build a fence to stop infiltration, much to Pakistan's dislike, reports
INDIA TODAY's Special Correspondent Ramesh Vinayak in Despatches.