Saturday, July 13, 2002, Chandigarh, India
 Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

SIDHU AFFAIRS
Punjab defers ordinance on tainted appointees
Chandigarh, July 12
Taking no chances on an important and sensitive issue of setting aside “tainted” appointments “ made on the recommendations of the PPSC during the term of Mr Ravi Sidhu as its Chairman, the Punjab Government decided to reconsider the draft of the ordinance it wanted to be approved at a meeting of the Council of Ministers today.

2 accomplices of Sidhu surrender
Kharar, July 12
Two alleged accomplices of Ravinderpal Singh Sidhu, former Chairman of the Punjab Public Service Commission, Shamsher Singh and Gurdeep Singh Manchanda, surrendered before Mr Roshan Lal Chouhan, Judicial Magistrate, Kharar, today.

   Punjab page: Charge sheet filed against Sidhu

Review railway issue, Advani told
Vajpayee’s bid to arrest cracks in NDA 
New Delhi, July 12
Despite a seemingly intractable situation about reviewing the bifurcation of Eastern Railway, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has urged Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani to look into the controversy afresh to arrest serious cracks developing in the disparate NDA grouping.

Pervez empowers self to sack PM
New Delhi, July 12
President Pervez Musharraf tonight said he would give all powers to the Prime Minister to run the country, but armed himself with powers to sack an ‘errant’ Prime Minister through a super-powerful National Security Council (NSC).

Suraj Bhan joins race for VP’s post
Chandigarh, July 12
Himachal Governor, Suraj Bhan has joined the race for the post of Vice-President of the country following re-thinking in the BJP over the candidature of former Rajasthan Chief Minister, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, who was being considered as the final choice of the party till a few days ago, according to an informed source.

Commandos protect chariots
Modi flags off Jagannath yatra

Ahmedabad, July 12 The 125th rathyatra started under tight security arrangement from the Jagannath temple in the Jamalpur area of the city this morning in a festive mood with devotees singing bhajan and beating drums. Video (28k, 56k)

Devotees carry an idol of Lord Jagannath during a religious procession in Puri, Orissa, on Friday. — Reuters

Jaya to get MDMK banned
Chennai, July 12
Continuing her onslaught on the MDMK and the drive against supporters of the LTTE, the banned Sri Lankan Tamil militant outfit, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today said her government would initiate steps to get the MDMK banned for its open support to the “deadly and treacherous” LTTE.
Video (28k, 56k)