Pranab bails out NDA
Defends delay in Kargil air strikes
New Delhi, June 9
The Defence Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, today told the Lok Sabha that even though the NDA government had taken 17 days to use air power during Operation Vijay in Kargil, the time taken was not the reason for high number of casualties suffered by the Army.

Supreme Court vacates stay on Rajya Sabha elections
New Delhi, June 9
The Supreme Court today vacated its stay on the Rajya Sabha poll but said the election of any member from a non-domicile state would be subject to its final order on two writ petitions challenging the amendment to the Representation of People Act.

RS poll on June 28

NDA objects to Bharadwaj’s statement
Says Sonia’s access to files violative of Official Secrets Act
New Delhi, June 9
The reported statement of Union Law Minister H. R. Bharadwaj that all government files can be shown to Congress President Sonia Gandhi today snowballed into a big controversy, with the BJP and NDA leaders terming it as “unacceptable”, an “attempt to bypass Constitution” and “belittle Prime Minister”.

Nation page: Cong clarifies on Bharadwaj’s assertion

PM to address nation if prevented in Parliament
New Delhi, June 9
Dr Manmohan Singh is likely to address the nation on radio and television if prevented by the Opposition from making his maiden speech as Prime Minister in Parliament.

Fernandes turns to Surjeet to oust tainted ministers
New Delhi, June 9
NDA Convener and former Defence Minister George Fernandes has sought the help of CPM General Secretary Harkishan Singh Surjeet in removing “corrupt and criminal elements” in the UPA government.

Nation page: ‘Taint’ trouble erupts again, Houses adjourned

Centre dutybound to implement SC directive on SYL
New Delhi, June 9
The Centre today made it clear to Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh that it was dutybound to implement the Supreme Court verdict on the SYL canal but had no intention of creating a situation which would even remotely hurt the interest of the people of Punjab and Haryana.
In video (28k, 56k)

Editorial: Muddied waters
Haryana page: Haryana Cong MPs meet Sonia Gandhi

Balachaur tense as curfew continues Balachaur (Nawanshahr) June 9 The town which had witnessed a bloody clash between police officials and residents of the area last evening when a dalit Kewal Krishan (42) was killed in alleged police firing, wore a deserted look today as the police had imposed curfew to avoid trouble. Balachaur township of Nawanshahr district wears a deserted look as the police clamped curfew to prevent any untoward incident on Wednesday morning. — Photo by S.S. Chopra