Thursday, April 18, 2002, Chandigarh, India
 Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Gujarat Cabinet puts off decision on elections
Jaya joins oust-Modi campaign; Naidu firm on stance
Gandhinagar, April 17
In an apparent move to avert any problems for the BJP-led government at the Centre, the Gujarat Cabinet today deferred a decision on the dissolution of the state Assembly and holding of elections but kept the option open for an “appropriate time”.
video: (28k, 56k)

• Gujarat House dissolution likely after presidential poll

Editorial: Gujarat's diplomatic fallout Nation page: Minorities look for 3rd alternative World page: Gujarat figures in UK Parliament Former Miss India Nafisa Ali and actress Nandita Das during a Lok Morcha rally for demanding the dismissal of Gujarat CM Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Wednesday. — Tribune photo Mukesh Aggarwal

NDA hardens stand on Modi issue
LS Deputy Speaker calls all-party meeting
New Delhi, April 17
Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker P.M. Sayeed has convened a meeting of the leaders of political parties tomorrow to break the impasse between the Treasury and Opposition Benches over the Gujarat issue.

• Shanta Kumar forced to apologise

Let TDP part ways, feels BJP section
New Delhi, April 17
With the Telugu Desam party finding itself at a loose end in seeing the back of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, a powerful section in the BJP believes that the regional party is free to part ways with the NDA if it so desires.

• People’s Front begins stir for Modi’s dismissal

Videos Opposition parties stall Parliament for the third day in a row, seeking a censure motion on the country's worst religious riots in a decade in Gujarat. (28k, 56k) Leaders of Left Front held a protest demonstration against the Gujarat government, demanding the dismissal of Chief Minister Narendra Modi. (28k, 56k)

PM summons UP BJP leaders
To hold parleys on government formation
New Delhi, April 17
The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, has summoned BJP leaders from Uttar Pradesh to the Capital tomorrow for clearing the decks for installation of the BSP Vice-President, Ms Mayawati, as the state Chief Minister in the next few days.

• Upper-caste officials fear Mayawati’s return

• Editorial:  Political marriage in UP

• Video: (28k, 56k)

Review decision on Sekhon: Badal
Meets George Fernandes
New Delhi, April 17
Former Punjab Chief Minister and SAD chief Parkash Singh Badal, Union Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa party, the SAD MPs and the vice-chairman of the Minorities Commission today met Defence Minister George Fernandes over the resignation of Air Marshal M S Sekhon from the Indian Air Force.

Top HUJI ultra among 12 killed
Srinagar, April 17
Five members of a family were killed and two others injured in an incident of firing in the Rafiabad area of Baramula district in north Kashmir late last evening.

Goa goes to polls on May 30
New Delhi, April 17
The Assembly elections to the 40-member Goa Legislative Assembly will be held on May 30, the Election Commission announced here today. 

VC seeks Pro-VC’s explanation Patiala, April 17 Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia has asked up Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr R.N. Pal to submit details of his tour programmes since March 1 and report whether he had taken permission from him before proceeding on casual and station leave. In a letter to the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Dr Ahluwalia has asked him to submit details of his tour programmes from March 1 onwards till now.