The display board in the Rajya Sabha read: Ayes 186, Noes 1. The Constitution (Hundred and eighth) Amendment Bill 2008, commonly known as the women’s reservation bill, was finally on its way, cleared by the House, reports Saroj Nagi. See graphics | Who said what on women's quota | Listen to podcast

Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari, a relative newcomer to politics, won praise from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and others for the manner in which he controlled the ruckus in the Rajya Sabha Tuesday over physical eviction of seven suspended opposition members from the house.

While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) went to early elections in May 2004 on the platform of high economic growth, the Congress counter was, “Aam admi ko kya mila (What has the common man got)?” 

It has to be understood that if the Congress is in power, it is due to Ms Gandhi’s untiring efforts and commitment to secularism and social justice. Whenever she has gone by her instinct, she has been proved right. Pankaj Vohra examines...