Decks cleared for Sonia-led govt
Modalities to be worked out today
New Delhi, May 15
The decks were cleared today for a fourth member of the Nehru-Gandhi clan in Congress president Sonia Gandhi assuming the high office of Prime Minister though the CPM and CPI kept up the suspense whether they will be part of the non-NDA government of secular forces.

Nation page: 5 allies back Sonia as PM

Sonia elected CPP chief
New Delhi, May 15
The Congress President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, today moved one step closer to becoming the Prime Minister when she was formally elected leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party.
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Nation page: 
Sonia elected CPP leader in her absence
Rahul seen as alternative power centre
World page: Sonia’s relatives fear for her life
Sonia Gandhi is garlanded by partymen soon after being elected Leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party at the Parliament House in New Delhi on Saturday. — PTI photo by V.K. Joshi

CPM Politburo members for joining govt
New Delhi, May 15
Several Politburo members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) were in favour of joining the Congress-led coalition government at the Centre. However, they today left the final decision on the issue to the party’s highest body, the Central Committee, which would begin its two-day meeting here tomorrow.
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Opinions page: Will Communists blunder once again? Business page: Congress, Left differ on economic issues Harkishen Singh Surjeet talks to mediapersons in New Delhi on Saturday. — PTI photo

CM draws up 7-point development charter
Chandigarh, May 15
Following drubbing in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections, the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, in a swift move, has drawn up a seven-point socio-economic development charter and re-prioritised policy programmes of his government.

112 Pak judges resign
Islamabad, May 15
In an unprecedented move, 112 judges and magistrates in Pakistan’s Punjab province have resigned en masse following growing confrontation with lawyers.

Pakistan gives legal sanctity to PSGPC Amritsar, May 15 The Government of Pakistan has passed a Bill to give legal sanctity to the five-year-old Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. This is for the first time that any Islamic country has accorded sanction to a religious body of a minority community.