FEBRUARY 22, 1977,

BATTLELINES DRAWN

WITH WITHDRAWALS OF candidature over in all the states, the nation moved another step forward towards holding the sixth general election scheduled to begin on March 16. Reports from state capitals indicated that the number of contestants put up by political parties has come down as compared to earlier elections — possibly because of many opposition parties having joined hands. But a large number of independents are still in the field in most constituencies.

INDIRA’S PLEA

PRIME MINISTER INDIRA GANDHI called for efforts by the people to fight reactionary and