November 11, 1979, Forty Years Ago: Food Reserves

The Lok Dal gave notice to the Congcess that the continuance of the alliance would be “seriously reexamined” if the Congress does not stop its overtures to parties that have links with the Jana Sangh. Lok Dal general secretary, Rajinder Puri, told newsmen that he had written to Y B Chavan two days ago seeking clarification on the home minister’s reported bid to have an understanding with the parallel Congress in Maharashtra which is sharing power with the Jana Sangh. Puri said he had written the letter on the basis of newspaper reports and, if the reports were correct, “I am afraid we will have to do some serious rethinking on our relationship (with the Congress).”

Iran Hostage Crisis

One group of Teheran diolomats visited hostages at the US embassy on Saturday and another called on Iran’s acting foreign minister to demand an end to the embassy standoff, it was reported. But Ayatollah Khomeini went into seclusion, apparently dashing hopes for face-to-face talks and a resolution of the crisis, AP reports. The government-run Teheran Radio said that Khomeini would not receive anyone on Saturday or Sunday — observers felt it meant discussion of the fate of the hostages was postponed until Monday.