People give a hand to good governance

New Delhi, December 8
Under pressure on the twin issues of terrorism and price rise, a beleagured Congress got a shot in the arm ahead of next year’s Lok Sabha polls with the results of the five Assembly elections today showing a 3-2 verdict in favour of the grand old party.

Nation page: Disappointed BJP to rethink LS strategy
Congress leads in Rajasthan’s hung assembly
Cong annihilates MNF in Mizoram
Editorial: BJP is net loser

Sheila the Third: Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit flashes the victory sign after Congress won for the third time in the Delhi assembly elections. Tribune photo: Manas Ranjan Bhui

Uma’s maya fails but her party debuts in MP
Bhopal, December 8
The BJP will once again rule Madhya Pradesh for the next five years. Belying all talk of Uma Bharati delivering a fatal blow to the party and anti-incumbency sentiment adversely impacting its electoral fortunes, the BJP romped home with 137 seats in the state Assembly well above the half-way mark of 116.

CPM sees scope for third front
New Delhi, December 8
The CPM has seen in the latest round of Assembly election results to five states announced today a scope for the third force to emerge there. The CPM which itself created a record of sorts by winning three seats for the first time in Rajasthan Assembly, heralded the rise of the third force in these states.

Nation page: Despite loss, SAD upbeat about future

Low score, but Maya’s jumbo gives jitters to parties
New Delhi, December 8
In the tussle for power between the Congress and the BJP, the going has been tough for the BSP too with its supremo Mayawati trying hard to prove that her “social engineering" formula was not one shot in the dark.

Capt campaigns, says he has Delhi’s sanction
Sangrur, December 8
Despite all odds in the presence of an impressive gathering of thousands while launching the Congress campaign for the ensuing Lok Sabha (LS) elections in the complex of a marriage palace here today.

Bhajan disowns lovelorn son
Panchkula, December 8
After his dismissal from the state Cabinet, former deputy Chief Minister of Haryana Chander Mohan alias Chand Mohammad had another jolt today with his family shutting door on him after his second marriage to Anuradha Bali alias Fiza.

Punjab page: Shahi Imam issues fatwa against sacked Haryana Dy CM Editorial: Man of dishonour A distraught Bhajan Lal speaks to the media in Panchkula. Tribune photo: S. Chandan

England tour on, ditto Mohali Test
Chandigarh, December 8
The BCCI treasurer M P Pandove categorically dismissed reports emanating from various quarters suggesting the second Test against England from December 19 may be shifted out of Mohali even as England tour of India was given a go-ahead today.

Mumbai Heat Pak arrests suspected Mumbai planner Islamabad, December 8 In a crackdown by security forces in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), senior Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) commander and suspected Mumbai terror attacks mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhwi was arrested along with at least eight other members of the group after a gunbattle. Intelligence chief Halder goes