Farooq threatens to quit NDA
An angry Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, today threatened to pull his National Conference (NC) out of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre in protest against remarks by the Central leadership insinuating that elections in the State had been rigged.

Prickly issues may dominate NDA meet
Although there is no formal agenda before the leaders of the National Democratic Alliance who will be meeting here tomorrow, there are several prickly issues staring them in the face: the latest is the threat of Dr. Farooq Abdullah, the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference leader, to pull out of the ruling coalition.

Now, over to New York
The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, today signalled his determination to sustain the engagement with Pakistan at the highest political level despite the scepticism within the Government, his party and the Opposition.

Enron chief clarifies to PM
The Enron chief, Mr. Kenneth Lay, today asserted that he had not asked the U.S. Government to consider imposing sanctions against India and said their approach was to settle the issue amicably by selling its stake.

President advised rest
The President, Mr. K.R. Narayanan, has, on the advice of his doctors, cancelled all his public engagements for the next fortnight.

Fundamentalists behind violence: Khurana
The BJP national vice-president, Mr. Madanlal Khurana, who is in-charge of Gujarat affairs, today accused ``fundamentalists'' of deliberately creating the disturbances in Ahmedabad by giving ``communal and political colour to a non- issue''.

Tendulkar for S. Africa
Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar left here for South Africa today for treatment of his injured right toe.

Tension in village
Tension prevailed in Dudhia village in the district today after four persons of a lower caste were injured in an alleged clash with upper caste members over linking names of lower caste girls with upper caste boys.

Musharraf sends formal invitation to Vajpayee
The Pakistan President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, has sought a formal meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly scheduled for the fourth week of September.

Bajrang Dal men defy ban orders
Police used mild force and burst teargas shells to disperse Bajrang Dal activists, who turned violent during a rally they took out here today, defying prohibitory orders.