Tuesday, March 5, 2002, Chandigarh, India
 Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

VHP adamant on plan
PM holds talk with Shankaracharya
New Delhi, March 4
As part of the efforts to end the Ayodhya impasse, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee tonight held consultations with Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Sri Jayendra Saraswathi.
Mahant Paramhans speaks to the media in New Delhi on Monday.
— Reuters photo

• Kar sevaks defy ban

• Edit page: BJP: waning space, narrow options

Army to stay in Gujarat: George
Ahmedabad, March 4
The Defence Minister, the George Fernandes, said today that fear and distrust among communities in Gujarat was not good for the country. Mr Fernandes, who visited strife-torn Mehsana, Surat and Baroda today, said social organisations should come forward to rebuild the bridges of faith between the two main communities in the state.

• ‘Hand over Gujarat to Army’

• BJP chief defends VHP

• Edit page: Communal killings in Gujarat

Godhra victims bitter, insecure (Nation page) A man watches smoke rise from a nearby shop burning on the outskirts of Ahmedabad on Monday. — Reuters photo

India objects to Pervez’s comments
New Delhi, March 4
India today took strong exception to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s comments on the communal violence in Gujarat, describing these as an interference in its internal affairs.

21 ministers take oath today
Rana Sodhi is Political Adviser to CM

• Punjab page: Swearing in: bad news for gatecrashers
  

MPs pay homage to Balayogi
Parliament adjourned till March 7
New Delhi, March 4
Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned till Thursday after Parliament paid homage to Speaker G.M.C. Balayogi, who was killed in a helicopter crash in Andhra Pradesh yesterday.
In video: (28k, 56k)

Naidu reviewing support to Centre
BJP wants speakership to remain with TDP
New Delhi, March 4
Even as the BJP is firm that the speakership of the Lok Sabha will remain with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party, the issue is mired in controversy because of the mayhem in Gujarat and the VHP’s threat to go ahead with the temple construction in Ayodhya.

Zimbabwe escapes suspension
Coolum, March 4
Commonwealth leaders today decided not to suspend Zimbabwe from their organisation over violence that has marred the country’s ongoing presidential campaign. Britain, Australia and New Zealand had demanded Zimbabwe’s immediate suspension but the African nations successfully blocked that move and insisted no action be taken until the March 9-10 vote.

Decks cleared for first Chief of Defence Staff
New Delhi, March 4
Decks were today cleared for naming the country’s first-ever Chief of Defence Staff, with the government filling up all key posts for the new integrated defence staff.