Chandigarh 8212; headlines

Pressure mounts on Ranjit Singh
Adding a new dimension to the religio-political crisis rocking the Akali Dal, the Parkash Singh Badal faction today mounted pressure on Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh to withdraw the Hukamnama edict ordering truce between the warring factions.

Mamata rejects offer
Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee today rejected a mediation bid by Defence Minister George Fernandes, who invited her to the Capital for talks with PM Atal Behari Vajpayee to sort out problems relating to Cabinet expansion.

quot;No new law on conversionsquot;
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has said there is no proposal to amend the Constitution or frame any new law on conversions even as he reiterated the need for a dialogue to develop good will and confidence in the people.