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Politics Business Expressions General Sports Leisure States 18 January 1998   Manmohan for Cong apology to Sikhs The Congress top brass does seem to be in an apologetic mood nowadays. Close on the heels of Madhavrao Scindia's public apology for the party's inability to halt the demolition of the Babri Masjid comes another call to seek public pardon. This time it is former Finance Minister Manmohan Singh who has urged the Congress to apologise for 1984's infamous Operation Bluestar.   EC tells UP to revoke "sops" to BSP MLAs The Election Commission (EC) and the Uttar Pradesh government are now poised for another clash. The latest conflict arises from the UP government's appointment of four BSP MLAs as chiefs of various bodies. The EC yesterday ordered cancellation of these appointments, claiming that they were an attempt at influencing the electorate. SP cries foul over Sonia's new-found love for Babri Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's new-found admiration for Sonia Gandhi does not seem to have extended itself to his party. SP leader, Ahmed Hassan yesterday criticised Sonia's statement made in Hyderabad blaming the BJP for the demolition of the Babri Masjid. He further said that it was an obvious bid by Sonia to garner Muslim votes for the Congress. Indrajit, Chaturanan in CPI's first list The Communist Party of India (CPI) yesterday released its first list of candidates for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. The 15-member list, containing nine members of the just-dissolved Lok Sabha, also includes Union home minister Indrajit Gupta and Union agriculture minister Chaturanan Mishra.   Trouble in store for Rajasthan BJP The BJP's Rajasthan unit is now in a quandary over the allocation of seats for the forthcoming Lok Sabha seats. The problem for the BJP arises due to its assimilation of members from other parties. The BJP is likely to finalise a list in a day or two but even that list is likely to be modified as the BJP is trying to lure some more Congressmen into its fold. BJP does a tight ropewalking for a catchy agenda The BJP is walking a tightrope in its bid to create an effective election manifesto. While on one hand, the party is looking to create a populist programme, rational minds are keen on a more practical agenda. The BJP's final agenda is likely to include a thrust on health, education, women and agriculture.     Host of poll violation cases in Aurangabad   Mahanta challenges indictment by CBI   Power play   Thane Mayor in soup for EC code violation   Partyline   Vajpayee bid to win over Namdharis   Sonia finds Kerala ripe for Congress return   Purohit prepared to take up BJP challenge, will contest   Chinna MGRs vie for their hero's mantle in Tamil Nadu   You can find the answers to Bofors - if you want to