A Tribune Exclusive 
Criminal on bail in Manmohan Ministry
Taslimuddin involved in cases of attempt to murder, extortion, Arms Act...
New Delhi, May 25
Even before getting a vote of confidence from the 14th Lok Sabha, the Manmohan Singh government is facing unprecedented embarrassment over the induction of Mr Mohammed Taslimuddin in the Council of Ministers because of his criminal antecedents.

BJP objects to inclusion of ‘tainted’ ministers
Nation page: Cases motivated: Taslimuddin

CPM clears Chatterjee for Speaker’s post
Kolkata, May 25
The CPM Politburo ultimately agreed to Mrs Sonia Gandhi’s offer of the Lok Sabha Speakership to Mr Somnath Chatterjee after much dilly-dallying and the day-long deliberations.

In video (28k, 56k) Veteran CPM leader Somnath Chatterjee poses with flowers sent by a supporter at his residence in Kolkata on Tuesday.  — AFP photo

Portfolio crisis blows over as DMK has its way
New Delhi, May 25
The impasse between the Congress and the DMK on the allocation of portfolios has been resolved with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh removing any misgivings with promptitude and assigning the promised portfolios to the Dravidian party’s ministers.
In video (28k, 56k)

Vajpayee may head parliamentary party, Advani Oppn leader
New Delhi, May 25
Emulating its main political rival, the BJP is likely to elect former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as Chairman of its parliamentary party, while making the former Deputy Prime Minister the Leader of the Opposition.

Lahoti is next CJI
New Delhi, May 25
Mr Justice R.C. Lahoti, seniormost judge of the Supreme Court, was today appointed the next Chief Justice of India by the President, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Cong set to acquire young look
New Delhi, May 25
The Congress-led government may be staffed by “the same old faces” but the party organisation is all set to acquire a young look.

Sunil Dutt to focus on youth affairs
New Delhi, May 25
Veteran film actor Sunil Dutt took charge as the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports at Shastri Bhavan here today and made it clear that youth affairs would get precedence over sports.

Newly appointed Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Dutt with his relatives, while assuming charge at his office in New Delhi on Tuesday. — PTI photo

Dalit woman burnt alive at police station Mumbai, May 25 The death of a 65-year-old Dalit woman, allegedly burnt alive by a police officer at CIDCO MIDC police station in Aurangabad, rocked the Maharashtra Assembly with the Opposition Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party forcing two adjournments on the issue.