Monday, April 8, 2002, Chandigarh, India
 Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

BJP-BSP tie-up in UP on cards
Talks on govt formation after PM’s return
New Delhi, April 7
Strong denials by the state party units notwithstanding, a tie-up between the BJP and the BSP for the formation of a government led by Ms Mayawati is now in final stages and is likely to be announced anytime after the three-day national executive meeting of the BJP in Goa this week.

Medha Patkar manhandled
6 scribes injured in lathi charge at Gandhi Ashram
Ahmedabad, April 7
Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar was today manhandled by angry residents of Sabarmati Colony in Gandhi Ashram, founded by peace apostle Mahatma Gandhi, where she was presiding over a peace meeting.
In Video (28k, 56k)

BJP leader’s open letter against Modi
New Delhi, April 7
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s days in the office appear to be numbered as the opposition to him seems to be growing within the BJP.

President can counsel PM on Gujarat: ex-CJI
New Delhi, April 7
Terming the situation in Gujarat as grave, former Chief Justice of India A.M. Ahmadi has said the President has the powers to “counsel” the Prime Minister in dealing with the situation.

Nation page:

Judge probing Godhra case seeks security Time for retrospection in Gujarat

Vajpayee arrives in Singapore
Singapore, April 7
Heralding a fresh chapter in bilateral ties, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee arrived here today on a three-day visit, during which the two sides would have extensive parleys for cooperation in trade, telecom and other fields.
In video: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee departs for a five-day official tour of Singapore and Cambodia. (28k, 56k)

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee with Mr David T.E. Lim, Acting Minister of Information Communication and Arts, on his arrival at Changi International Airport in Singapore on Sunday. — PTI photo

Israel pushes on, USA for pullout
Ramallah, April 7
Israeli tanks and troops overnight entered the Palestinian village of Beit Rima near Ramallah in West Bank, Palestinian security sources said today.

• World page: Powell may still meet Arafat
  

What’s behind nuclear threat by Musharraf?
New Delhi, April 7
The Vajpayee government feels that domestic compulsions and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s personal agenda are the real reasons behind his threat to use nuclear weapons against India as a last resort.

• PM declines to comment

• Pant rules out talks with Pak

Setback to ISI plan to foment trouble
Jammu, April 7
The ISI “plan” to revive activities of the Khalistan Zindabad Force in Jammu and Punjab was foiled with the arrest of operational chief of the KZF, Amrik Singh, and trans-border narcotic and arms smuggler and a guide, Virender Sharma.

Sikhs determined to rebuild gurdwara
New York, April 7
The stench of smoke lingered for weeks after the Sikh Cultural Society was gutted by fire on March 8 — an early morning blaze that destroyed the first Sikh gurdwara on the USA’s East Coast, home to a congregation of thousands.

CAG raps J&K for diverting funds Jammu, April 7 Several crores of rupees were misutilised in Jammu and Kashmir under security-related expenses resulting in heavy losses to the central exchequer between 1996 and 2001.