Tuesday, April 16, 2002, Chandigarh, India
 Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

NDA crisis blows over
PM thanks Naidu on phone for continued support
New Delhi, April 15
In a determined bid not to alienate the Telugu Desam Party, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee telephoned Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu today to express his gratitude for the regional party’s continued support to the BJP-led NDA.

TDP firm on Modi’s removal
Hyderabad, April 15
Keeping his political options close to his chest, TDP supremo and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today vowed to continue his fight for the removal of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the interests of protecting the “national pride and secular values”.

Former Miss India and social activist Nafisa Ali raises slogans along with Youth Congress workers during a relay fast in New Delhi on Monday for the dismissal of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.  — PTI photo

Modi issue rocks Parliament
Oppn insists on adjournment motion
New Delhi, April 15
As expected, the Vajpayee-led National Democratic Alliance government today faced the flak on the opening day of Parliament on the issue of ouster of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as the entire Opposition paralysed the proceedings in both Houses. One of the coalition allies, the TDP, showed no signs of relenting.
In video (28k, 56k)

SC admits PIL on Gujarat
Notice to Centre and Modi government
New Delhi, April 15
The Supreme Court today admitted public interest litigation by celebrated classical dancer Mallika Sarabhai and two others seeking a direction to the Gujarat Government to investigate all crimes committed from February 27 in the aftermath of the Godhra carnage.

UK envoys did visit Gujarat

In video (28k, 56k)

SAD keeps silent on Modi
But wants Amarinder’s resignation
Chandigarh, April 15
Accusing the Punjab Chief Minister of "misusing the process of law and the state machinery" in “unleashing a reign of terror and oppression in the state”, the Political Affairs Committee of the Shiromani Akali Dal today asked him to quit as “ he has rendered himself unfit constitutionally and morally to remain the Chief Minister”.

Forces to stay: Fernandes
New Delhi, April 15
As Defence Minister George Fernandes today ruled out a review of the deployment of forces along the border, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal S. Krishnaswamy, said the armed forces were determined and ready to respond “in a sensible way” to any challenge from across the border.

In video (28k, 56k) Defence Minister George Fernandes congratulates Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh on his 83rd birthday in New Delhi on Monday.  — PTI photo

Air China plane crashes, 128 feared dead
Seoul, April 15
An Air China passenger aircraft ploughed into a wooded South Korean mountain in heavy rain and fog today, killing many of the 166 persons on board. The number of survivors fell to 39 at 1115 GMT (1645 hrs IST), a South Korean rescue official said.

Bank strike today
New Delhi, April 15
Protesting against the Centre’s “anti-labour and privatisation policies”, bank employees will go on a day’s nationwide strike tomorrow, which is likely to cause a loss of over Rs 100 crore to the national economy.

Budha Nullah source of woes LUDHIANA: Residents of Ludhiana city and at least of 40 villages in the district are forced to consume contaminated vegetables and drink unsafe water, thus exposing themselves to water-borne diseases. The villages are situated along Budha Nullah. The water of the Sutlej changes colour after the discharge of industrial waste into it from the Budha Nullah in Ludhiana.