Allies want Sonia to be PM
New Delhi, May 16
The candidature of Mrs Sonia Gandhi as the Prime Minister of a Congress-led secular government was endorsed unanimously by the the pre-poll allies, the Left parties as well as the surprise presence of the the leaders of the Samajwadi party and Rashtriya Lok Dal at the conclave of non-NDA forces here this evening.
In video: Congress and its allies busy chalking out Common Minimum Programme (CMP). (28k, 56k)

DMK chief signals to join new govt soon
New Delhi, May 16
DMK President K. Karunanidhi today gave positive signals of joining the Congress-led government at the Centre.
In video: (28k, 56k)

Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi with DMK party leader M Karunanidhi after a meeting in New Delhi on Sunday. Senior Congress leader Manmohan Singh looks on.  — PTI photo

Cong will have to strike balance on contentious issues Editorial:  Compulsions of coalition Nation page: Coalition name being worked out Intellectuals want Left to be part of govt Surjeet for including SP in alliance

CPI keen to support from outside
New Delhi, May 16
The national executive of the CPI which continued discussions for the second day today indicated that its emerging view was in favour of supporting a secular government from outside.

Nation page: CPM decision on joining govt today

Sonia as PM is OK, says Badal
Amritsar, May 16
In a significant statement, which could embarrass its political partner, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, President, Shiromani Akali Dal, said his party had no objection if Ms Sonia Gandhi became the Prime Minister.

Govindacharya to launch movement against Sonia
New Delhi, May 16
The BJP, which has been finding itself in a helpless situation on the ‘foreign origin’ issue after the Lok Sabha poll outcome, appears to have got a platform to attack Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

Uma Bharti, Sushma jockeying for top party post?
New Delhi, May 16
Uma Bharti, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh plans to resign her job as part of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s movement against Sonia Gandhi becoming Prime Minister.

Nation page: Uma rejects reports of quitting over Sonia becoming PM

45 seats reserved for women in Bangladesh House Dhaka, May 16 The Bangladesh parliament today amended the country’s Constitution, introducing a provision to reserve 45 additional seats in the House for women for the next 10 years.