Saturday, November 2, 2002, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

SP stakes claim to form government
Says it has support of 204 MLAs
Lucknow, November 1
The political crisis in Uttar Pradesh took a new turn today with the Samajwadi Party and its allies staking claim to form an alternative government on the basis of support of 204 MLAs, including BJP dissidents.
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BJP warns dissidents
New Delhi, November 1
The BJP today while issuing a warning to its rebel MLAs in Uttar Pradesh expressed hope that “an amicable and honourable” settlement would be found. After failing to make any breakthrough in its efforts to placate dissident party MLAs in Uttar Pradesh, party general secretary Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi warned that the BJP could recommend their disqualification under the anti-defection law.

21 SGPC men’s ultimatum to Badal
Ardas offered at Takht to de-politicise Sikh body
Amritsar, November 1
The 21 “non-aligned” SGPC members received a shot in the arm when three more members belonging to the Badal faction and one from the SAD (A) today attended ardas held at Akal Takht for “depoliticising” the SGPC.

Punjab page: SHSAD ultimatum to Badal Mr Malsingh Ghuman (on the wheel chair) proceeds towards Akal Takht along with other “non-aligned” SGPC members to perform ‘ardas’ for de-politicising the SGPC in Amritsar on Friday. — Photo Rajiv Sharma

Mufti to take oath today
Srinagar, November 1
Mufti Mohammad Sayeed will be sworn in as Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister here tomorrow, marking an end to the two-week Governor’s rule imposed on the state following a stalemate over the formation of a coalition government.

• J&K page: Hizbul says no to Azad

Pak to remain suspended from Commonwealth
London, November 1
Declaring that it will be premature to conclude that democracy has been restored in Pakistan, the Commonwealth today decided that the country remain suspended from the grouping.

SC’s interim formula on Cauvery waters
New Delhi, November 1
Requesting the Cauvery River Authority (CRA) headed by the Prime Minister to resolve the water dispute at the earliest, the Supreme Court today fixed an interim formula, directing Karnataka to release to Tamil Nadu 9,000 cusecs of water daily till November 6 and thereafter around 6,000 cusecs of water everyday till November 15.
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Remove posters, EC tells Gujarat
New Delhi, November 1
Taking serious note of reports about display of several posters and hoardings along communal lines in Gujarat, the Election Commission today directed the Chief Secretary of the state to ensure that these be removed forthwith.

• Nation page: CPI wants truck with Cong in Gujarat
• Edit page: ‘BJP getting nervous in Gujarat’