Paswan meets Sonia
Bihar heading for President’s rule
New Delhi, March 1
Congress President Sonia Gandhi today failed to bring about a rapproachment between the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) as the warring UPA allies hardened their positions and refused to support each other in the formation of the next government in Bihar.

UPA allies discuss strategies Nation page: BJP may cold shoulder Vajpayee on House disruption Opinions page: Mandate against Laloo Yadav Prime Minister Manmohan Singh greets LJP chief and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan before the UPA meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday.  — PTI photo

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NDA stakes claim in Jharkhand
Ranchi, March 1
The BJP-led NDA today formally staked claim to form government in Jharkhand by submitting a list of 41 MLAs, 36 elected on alliance ticket and five Independents, to Governor Syed Sibtey Razi.
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Haryana CLP authorises Sonia to select CM
Chandigarh, March 1
The Haryana Congress Legislature Party (CLP) today unanimously authorised the AICC President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, to choose its leader who would become the next Chief Minister of the state.

Haryana page: Groupism rules CLP meeting
Women MLAs eyeing ministerial berths

Major-General found guilty in Tehelka case
Chandigarh, March 1
A military court today found a Major-General allegedly involved in the infamous Tehelka scandal guilty of accepting illegal gratification and profession impropriety. The sentence is expected to be announced tomorrow.

Pervez orders release of 200 Indian prisoners
Islamabad, March 1
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf today ordered the release of 200 Indian civilians languishing in Pak jails.

Sania upsets Kuznetsova 
Dubai, March 1 
Sania Mirza pulled off the biggest win of her fledgling career when she upset world number four and US Open Champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in the Dubai Open women tennis championship here today. (Details on Sports page)

FM hints at rollback of tax on cash withdrawal
New Delhi, March 1
With mounting pressure from within UPA and outside, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram may partially roll back the proposed banking transaction tax of Rs 10 on withdrawal of Rs 10,000 cash and the Fringe Benefit Tax on perks. (Details on Business page)

Editorials: The human factor  PC for FM
Business page: Experts upbeat on new savings proposals

Jawahar Tunnel thrown open to traffic Jammu, March 1 The nearly 25-km stretch of the Jammu-Srinagar highway between Banihal and Qazigund through Jawahar Tunnel was reopened today after having been blocked with avalanches for the past about a fortnight. People walk towards the snow-covered northern portal of Jawahar Tunnel, 90 km south of Srinagar, on Tuesday.  — Reuters photo J&K page: Rescue teams not fully equipped Police adopts three children orphaned by snow tragedy Search for 3 missing Finnish tourists launched