Wednesday, March 5, 2003, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Virbhadra to be CM
Stokes proposes name for CLP leader’s post

Shimla, March 4 Mr Virbhadra Singh was unanimously elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party here today. The election was a smooth affair, with Ms Vidya Stokes, the other strong contender for the post of Chief Minister, proposing his name. Mr Rangila Ram Rao, Ms Chandresh Kumari and Mr Gangu Ram Musafir seconded it. Himachal page Virbhadra’s election hailed

A garlanded Virbhadra Singh is surrounded by his supporters after being elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party of Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday. — Photo Anil Dayal

UP Governor begins probe
Cong to bring no-trust move today
Lucknow, March 4
In a fast-paced political development, the UP Governor, Mr Vishnu Kant Shastri, today declared that he had started an "inquiry" into the video cassette and the CD given to him by leaders of the Samajwadi Party yesterday even as the Congress declared that it was contemplating to bring a no-confidence motion against the state government tomorrow.

Editorial: This is also Maya?

Advani’s statement today
Mayawati videotape issue
New Delhi, March 4
With the Opposition mounting pressure on the reported remarks of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati about collecting money for party coffers, the government today informed the Lok Sabha that it would make a statement on the issue tomorrow.

‘No repetition of J&K mistakes’
PM promises assistance to state
New Delhi, March 4
Advising Pakistan to refrain from raising bilateral issues, including Kashmir, at the multilateral fora, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today pledged full support to the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and said past mistakes in the state would not be repeated.

Fertiliser price hike rocks LS
New Delhi, March 4
The hike in fertiliser and diesel prices today rocked the Lok Sabha for the second day with angry Opposition members storming the well seeking their immediate rollback and threatening to launch a nationwide agitation.

Sonia approves Punjab Cabinet expansion
New Delhi, March 4
Decks have been cleared for the expansion of the Punjab Cabinet with Congress President Sonia Gandhi agreeing, in principle, to the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh’s proposal for expansion of his Cabinet.

KASHMIR TALKS
Vohra arrives today
Jammu, March 4
While the All-Party Hurriyat Conference is still undecided on holding talks with the Centre’s interlocutor, Mr N.N. Vohra is arriving here tomorrow on a two-day visit. 

13 die in road mishap
Jammu, March 4
At least 13 persons were killed and 43 others injured in two different road accidents in the Jammu region overnight, police said today. In an accident today, 10 persons died and 42 sustained injuries, when a bus rolled down into a 150-mt deep gorge near Bindle in Udhampur district.

Rain dashes Pak’s slender hopes Bulawayo, March 4 Pakistan were today knocked out of the World Cup, its slender hopes of making it to the Super Six dashed by rain that led to the abandonment of its match with Zimbabwe. Sports page Rain curse returns to haunt SA South Africa players ‘were in tears’ Nasser Hussain quits Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak (right) leaves the pitch with Pakistan skipper Waqar Younis after the two agreed to abandon the final Group-A qualifier of the cricket World Cup in Bulawayo on Tuesday. — Reuters photo