M A I N   N E W S

Minister quits on Siwan issue
Our Correspondent

Patna, March 24
In a not so unexpected move, the minister of State for Welfare, Mr Aizazul Haque has resigned from the Rabri cabinet. He had been apparently hurt over the U-turn the state government took on the Siwan issue. Mr Haque is a relative of the controversial Siwan MP, Md. Shahabuddin. The resignation that was tendered this evening to the CM has not so far been forwarded to the Governor for acceptance as the RJD boss and other ministers are making frantic efforts to woo him back till the time of reporting.

The Minister after announcing his resignation in the Assembly lobby later told journalists that the government portrayal on Friday of the Siwan action of police had hurt him and he had to resign as there was tremendous pressure on him from his voters and constituency people.

Jagdeo re-elected Guyana President

Georgetown, March 24
Ethnic Indian President of Guyana Bharat Jagdeo has been re-elected as head of the former British colony, but his rival from the People’s National Congress Party (PNC) contested the election in the Supreme Court.

Mr Jagdeo’s inauguration, originally scheduled for yesterday after he was officially declared the winner of the Monday’s election with 53.1 per cent of the vote, was postponed by the court, Judge Ralph Ramtarram told reporters yesterday. AFP