Samata has major role in NDA: Fernandes
A day after his resignation as Defence Minister, Mr. George Fernandes, today said he opposed the decision of his Samata Party colleagues in the Union Cabinet to follow suit. He was also ``hurt' by the move of the Trinamool Congress leader, Ms. Mamata Banerjee, to leave the National Democratic Alliance.

'Clean up PMO'
A section of Samata Party MPs today went on the offensive demanding that the Prime Minister ``clean up'' his office even as the party leader, Mr. George Fernandes, distanced himself from it.

Govt. should go: Cong.
The Congress is all set to launch a frontal attack on the BJP-led Central Government, at its plenary session beginning here tomorrow. The party president's speech and the political resolution will focus heavily on the acts of omission and commission of the Vajpayee government, ``as well as analyse threadbare the unseemly spectacle unfolding in Delhi''.

Resume talks, Annan tells India, Pak.
The United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan, today urged India and Pakistan to renew their stalled dialogue immediately and, once again, shut out a U.N. option to resolve the Kashmir dispute.

Mandela given Gandhi prize
The former South African President, Mr. Nelson Mandela, was today honoured with the Gandhi peace prize by the President, Mr. K.R. Narayanan, who said the fighter against apartheid had led his country ``out of the bitterness of the past'' in a truly Gandhian manner.

Home Ministry 'considers' legal action against Tehelka
The Union Home Ministry is considering taking legal action against the newsportal Tehelka.com for its alleged `slanderous attack' on the Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, and senior Ministry officials. But after receiving a written apology from the Tehelka CEO, Mr. Tarun Tejpal, last evening, the Ministry is learnt to be still contemplating whether to go ahead with the legal action.

Naidu kept up pressure on PM
The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, kept a low profile on the Delhi developments, but played his part behind the scenes on Friday.

I have been framed: Laxman
Mr. Bangaru Laxman, who quit as BJP president in the wake of Tehelka expose, today said he had been framed and implicated in the ``conspiracy'' and implied that detractors could be inside the party.

Six killed in Kanpur clash
Six people, including a District Magistrate, were killed when a mob, protesting the alleged burning of Quran, clashed with police hurling crude bombs and exchanging fire here today.