PM nukes Advani, praises Vajpayee
New Delhi, March 5
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today spoke in both Houses of Parliament like an astute politician and took pot shots at the BJP on issues as diverse as farmers’ plight, internal security and Indo-US nuclear deal. He also showed signs of his emergence as a strategician when he praised BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee and poked fun at Vajpayee’s successor and perceived rival, L.K. Advani.

Complaint by private engg college management
IG Rajinder Singh suspended
Chandigarh, March 5
Weeks after IG Rajinder Singh filed a case seeking promotion, the Punjab government suspended him here tonight. The IG has been chargesheeted and suspended said a senior officer here. Since the formation of the SAD-BJP government in Punjab, Rajinder Singh was posted IG (counter intelligence) at Pathankot.

Sarabjit’s mercy petition rejected
Islamabad, March 5
The mercy petition of Indian citizen Sarabjit Singh, condemned to death in Pakistan for alleged involvement in bomb blasts in 1990, has been rejected by President Pervez Musharraf, a development that comes close on the heels of the release of his compatriot Kashmir Singh who walked to freedom after 35 years in jail.

Over 70 pc polling in Nagaland
Guwahati, March 5
Around 70 to 75 per cent voters today exercised their franchise to elect their representatives to the 60-member Nagaland Assembly under tight security after braving bad weather in may parts of the hill state that is now under President’s Rule.
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Bal Thackeray: Biharis unwanted everywhere
Mumbai, March 5
Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray has embarked on a collision course with the members of parliament from North India who have raised the issue of violence against North Indians in the house.

Constitutional Validity of Punjab Act on Water Accords
Hearing in April, SC assures Haryana
New Delhi, March 5
The Haryana government today got a firm assurance from the Supreme Court about taking up the four-point Presidential reference on the constitutional validity of the Punjab Termination of Agreement Act, terminating all water accords from 1981 onwards with neighbouring states.