Many candidates, few choices

For political parties in Haryana, the hour of reckoning is here. Old friends have become foes and vice versa. The INLD, the BJP, the Congress and the HVP have created new alliances, baffling the voters. Will these partnerships get full backing of the people and lead to the formation of a stable government? Gobind Thukral analyses the ground situation.

• Political clans

• Witness to many a glorious moment,
  by Ravi Bali
  
  
• Exeunt Saint, merchant cometh,
  says Manpreet Singh
  
  
• Shikaras adorn Surajkund this year,
  by Tripti Nath
  
  
• A mega sport extravaganza,
  by Prabhjot Singh

• THIS ABOVE ALL: A modest and lovable artist,
  by Khushwant Singh
  
  
• MAIL BOX: Centre of controversy

• FACT FILE — by Illa Vij
  
  
• STAMP QUIZ — NW
  
  
• POEMS — by children
  
  
• CROSSWORD — by Karuna Goswamy