03-07-2025
July 3, 1985, Forty Years Ago: President Gromyko
The Soviet Parliament unanimously elected Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko, as the country's President. Departing from the normal Kremlin practice of the party leader also holding the title of the chief of state, the 75-year-old veteran diplomat was elected to the high post by the 1,500-member Supreme Soviet . Observers feel the move will allow Party General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev to concentrate on domestic affairs .
PM Assures Zia
The second meeting of the Indo-Pakistan joint commission began in New Delhi after Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's assurance to President Ziaul Haq that he will do everything possible to make it a success.
Kashmir Bandh
Srinagar city observed total bandh, while it was partial in the other four districts of the Valley. The call for a Kashmir bandh was given by the National Conference (F) and supported by other Opposition parties as part of their struggle for 'restoration of democracy'. It was on this day last year that the Governor, Jagmohan, dismissed the Farooq Abdullah ministry after 12 of his party MLAs sided with G M Shah and the latter became Chief Minister with the support of the Congress(I) legislature party.
Mukherjee Quits
Pranab Mukherjee, president of the WBPCC (I), has decided to step down from his office, owning responsibility for the defeat of his party in the Calcutta corporation election. Announcing his decision at a press conference, flanked by two youth leaders, Subroto Mukherjee and Somen Mitra, Mukherjee said his decision was 'in conformity with the democratic traditions and culture of the Congress'. He reiterated that he was not succumbing to any pressures, even from New Delhi.
