March 21, 1977

French opposition left makes considerable gains in nationwide munic voting on Mar 20, but is defeated in Paris as ex-Prime Min Jacques Chirac wins mayoral election; Socialist-Communist coalition wins control of 21 major cities adding to 33 cities it took in 1st-round of elections; controls more than 3/4 of country's largest cities; leftist leaders Mitterrand and Marchais laud outcome; illus (L)

Prime Min Gandhi is soundly defeated for her parliamentary seat in India's 6th natl election, and her Cong Party is trailing; Sanjay Gandhi is also defeated; Govt revokes state of emergency; Desai says India has been vindicated by Gandhi's loss to Socialist leader Raj Narain; Defense Min Bansi Lal, Energy Min K C Pant and Communications Min S D Sharma are also defeated; Justice Min H R Gokhale is beaten by Ram Jethmalani; Socialist leader George Fernandes, who is in jail on charges of plotting to overthrow Govt, wins election to Parliament; illus of Gandhi, Sanjay and officials counting ballots (L)

THIS IS SPRING? Frank Vega, a young Mets’ fan, holding up ball and glove with a smile as his game in Central Park was snowed out on the first day spring. An article on the weather will be found on page 33.

Mar 21: Palestine Natl Council adopts declaration calling for establishment of 'ind natl state' on 'natl soil' and authorizing Palestinian attendance at Arab-Israeli peace conf; declaration, adopted by vote of 194-13, calls for continuation of 'armed struggle' against Israel and rejects recognition of Israel or signing of any complete peace agreement; reiterates Palestinians' rejection of UN Resolution 242 as basis for peace negotiations, but implies that Resolution 338 would provide such basis; Palestinians do not amend PLO charter to recognize Israel's right to exist; PLO leader Arafat says Carter has 'gone back' on his statement calling for 'homeland' for Palestinians; is re-elected chmn of PLO's Exec Com; declaration seen more constructive and positive than previous council declarations; apparently gives Arafat 'room to manuever' without spurring withdrawal of rejectionists from orgn; Arafat illus (M)

Teaneck, NJ, is embroiled in controversy over school bd policy banning school-sponsored activities on Jewish and Christian Sabbaths; opponents see it as violation of separation of ch and state and denial of civil rights of students not constrained by religious conviction; Jewish Community Center is policy's staunchest supporter (M)