Mulayam takes charge in UP

Withdraws POTA against Raja Bhaiya Lucknow, August 29 Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav was today sworn in as 31st Chief Minister of the state at a glittering function on the bank of the Gomati.
New UP Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav along with Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh at a Press conference after the former’s swearing-in ceremony in Lucknow on Friday. — PTI photo BJP to gain with Mulayam as CM Cong non-committal on joining UP Govt Maya, Centre, UP Govt get notices on MLA’s plea Editorial: Mulayam’s promises

In video: Mulayam Singh Yadav swears in as the new Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. (28k, 56k)

POTA should not be misused, says BJP
New Delhi, August 29
The BJP today diplomatically defended Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav’s first decision after taking oath as the Chief Minister of UP — release of Raghuraj Pratap Singh, alias Raja Bhaiya, and others detained under POTA.

82 killed in car bomb blast in Iraqi holy city
Najaf, August 29
Leading Shiite politician Ayatollah Mohammad Baqer al-Hakim, a pivotal force in post-war Iraq, was assassinated today in a car bomb blast that killed at least 82 persons and wounded around 200 in the holy city of Najaf.

Punjab withdraws sales tax on CSD items
Patiala, August 29
The state government has decided to withdraw the sales tax on CSD items with immediate effect. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting presided over by the state Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, here today. Besides this, various issues relating to the welfare of the serving Army personnel were also discussed.

5 held for Akshardham attack
Ahmedabad, August 29
In a major breakthrough, the police today arrested five persons hailing from sensitive Dariapur and Shahpur areas in connection with Akshardham temple attack. The police said their interrogation revealed that terrorist outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) had masterminded the strike.

33 sportspersons honoured New Delhi, August 29 It was a moment of recognition and triumph for 33 sportspersons who received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Dronacharya, Arjuna and Dhyan Chand awards from President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. The President, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, presents the Arjuna Award to Indian hockey player Gagan Ajit Singh at a function at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Friday. — PTI photo  Sports page 1948 hockey team may be felicitated