Fernandes' remark on Chinese "intrusion" worries Government
On the eve of a major visit by the chief of general staff of the Chinese army, the government seems to have launched a damage control exercise over the statements on China made by Defence Minister George Fernandes. Sources in the PMO say Prime Minister A B Vajpayee ticked off Fernandes for going public on the Chinese "intrusion" into India, by allegedly building a helipad in Arunachal Pradesh.
Sonia urges prodigal sons to return
Congress president Sonia Gandhi has said the way to revitalise the party was by winning back minorities, asking leaders to regain touch with the grass-roots workers and empowering women. Launching her campaign to revamp the party at a well-attended public meeting with the place associated with Mahatma Gandhi's satyagraha, she said over the years Congress leaders have lost direct contact with the rank and file, which had weakened the organisation.
Grand old Cong gets blueprint for change
A "new Congress" could well be born in a few months if even some of the sweeping changes suggested by the special task force yesterday in its interim report are implemented by party president Sonia Gandhi. It is probably the most ambitious review programme conceived by an inner-party committee and suggests a total revamp of the organisation. The job was handled by a task force headed by PA Sangma.
Advani, Jaya blast report on TN
In a damage control exercise to assauge coalition partner AIADMK, Home Minister LK Advani is understood to have expressed "displeasure" over the clean chit given by a central team to the DMK Government on the law and order situation as Jayalalitha last night demanded despatching of another central team to tour Tamil Nadu for a fresh assessment of the security situation.
Hegde no threat to my Government, says Patel
Karnataka Chief Minister J H Patel yesterday dismissed any threat to his government from Lok Shakti leader and Union commerce minister Ramakrishna Hegde and likened his recent call to Janata Dal legislators to quit and join him, as the `whistling' of a passing train to denote its arrival and departure.
Tohra offers to appear before Akal Takht
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Gurcharan Singh Tohra is learnt to have volunteered to present himself at Akal Takht on April 20 to explain his position on the issue of his meeting Nirankari leaders at Patiala during the Lok Sabha elections. The SGPC chief yesterday sent the intimation to this effect to Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh.
