Kalam asks countrymen to vote ‘positively’
New Delhi, April 18
President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam today called on all Indians to cast their vote “positively” in the Lok Sabha poll to elect members “who will be guiding the destiny of the nation for the next five years.”

Campaigning for first phase ends
New Delhi, April 18
The cacophony of rallies and election meetings came to an end in 140 Lok Sabha constituencies spread across 16 states which go to the polls in the first phase on April 20.

Tandon quits PM’s poll panel
Lucknow, April 18
Buckling under a continuous attack, senior BJP leader Lalji Tandon today said he was stepping down from the post of convener of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s election campaign committee.

Editorial: Sari largesse

Remission for convicts
Amarinder violates poll code
Sarai Naga (Muktsar), April 18
In violation of the model code of conduct, the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, today announced that state government would give one year remission in sentence to each convict on the occasion of the 500th birth anniversary of Guru Angad Dev.

Announcement leaves Akalis sulking
Khadoor Sahib, April 18
Solemnity and sanctity of the 500th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Angad Dev notwithstanding, senior Akali and Congress leaders showed no restraint in delivering covert political messages to the massive and disciplined audience which had assembled in this holy city to pay homage to the second Sikh Guru.

CM, Sukhbir Badal receive nagar kirtan (Punjab page) Devotees throng the historic Khadoor Sahib gurdwara at the special congregation held to mark the 500th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Angad Dev in Khadoor Sahib in Amritsar district on Sunday. — Tribune photo by Karam Singh

Israel eliminates senior Hamas leader
Gaza, April 18
Israel assassinated top Hamas leader Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi in a missile strike last night, dealing another major blow to the militant group before a planned US-backed withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

A Palestinian woman holds a picture of Hamas leader Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi, during his funeral in Gaza on Sunday.
— Reuters photo

World page: Assassination of Hamas leader condemned

Coordinator in PMT paper leak case held
New Delhi, April 18
The Delhi Police Crime Branch today said it had arrested one Bunny Singh Gautam, a key accused in the CBSE Pre-Medical Test paper leak case, from the Janak Puri area of West Delhi.