Wednesday, March 13, 2002, Chandigarh, India
 Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Major climbdown by VHP
To offer shilas if SC rejects symbolic puja
Ayodhya, March 12
Striking a conciliatory note on the eve of a crucial hearing in the Supreme Court, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas today said if the court verdict did not allow symbolic puja at the undisputed land on March 15 they would offer a fabricated pillar at the makeshift Ram temple instead of symbolic puja.
In video (28k, 56k)

Receiver unaware of ‘shila dan’ plan Mahant Paramhans and VHP President Ashok Singhal during a news conference in Ayodhya on Tuesday.  — Reuters photo

Enter Ayodhya in jeans: VHP
PM calls high-level meeting
New Delhi, March 12
The Centre is apprehensive of the Vishva Hindu Parishad’s real motives in Ayodhya on March 15 as the VHP has instructed its cadres to be clad in jeans and enter Ayodhya in large numbers by hook or by crook. Well-placed sources here said the VHP was “really desperate” to have ‘bhoomi pujan’ done at the undisputed land in Ayodhya on March 15.

• Nation page: Kar sevaks confident of entering Ayodhya

• 25 kar sevaks arrested

• Maintain status quo in Ayodhya: VP
• VHP ‘not’ a party in temple case

Govt hopes court will allow ‘bhoomi puja’
New Delhi, March 12
The BJP-led NDA government is cautiously optimistic about the Supreme Court bailing them out tomorrow from a delicate situation arising on the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s controversial decision to perform the “bhoomi pujan” close to the disputed site in Ayodhya on Friday.

New trust soon for resolution of Ayodhya row
New Delhi, March 12
In a development of long-term significance, Govardhan Puri Shankaracharya Swami Adhokshajananda Devtirth today announced that a new nyas (Trust) comprising Hindu and Muslim religious leaders would be formed soon to resolve the Ayodhya dispute but stressed that the Supreme Court’s decision would be final and binding on all litigants.

And now, fake tickets for Mohali tie!
Chandigarh, March 12
After reports of ticket holders being denied entry into the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali on Sunday during the India-Zimbabwe One Day International, the issue of ‘’fake’’ tickets has also come into light

BJP, BSP may join hands in UP
New Delhi, March 12
An understanding between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party for forming a government in Uttar Pradesh is in the final stages. An indication in this regard was available today when Uttar Pradesh Governor Vishnukant Shastri told newspersons that it would be a failure on his part if a government was not formed.

• Nation page: SP seeks recall of UP Governor

Henry may join ministry today
Chandigarh, March 12
The stage is set for the first expansion of the Punjab Council of Ministers here tomorrow. Mr Avtar Henry, a former Excise and Taxation Minister, who has been elected for the third term from Jalandhar North, appears certain to be inducted.

•  Punjab page: SAD draws up plan to confront govt
  
  
  

Takeover of Wildflower Hall stalled Shimla, March 12 The takeover of the Rs 100-crore Wildflower Hall by the Himachal Pradesh Government today took a new turn, with, East India Hotels Ltd (EIH) of the Oberois describing the action as “illegal” and the General Manager of the hotel, Mr Andrew Saldanha, filing a report with the police against “unauthorised and illegal trespassing” into the property by the government appointed Executive Director, Mr S.K. Baldi, and seven other officers.