Quicktakes

Pro-Kremlin party surges ahead in polls
MOSCOW: In their best-ever electoral performance in the post-Soviet era, the pro-Kremlin Unity Party was today breathing down the neck of the Communist Party, pushing up Russian premier Vladimir Putin8217;s presidential aspirations. The Centrists group was just 0.7 per cent votes behind the Communist Party, who have 24.38 per cent.

Oppn walkout over Women8217;s Bill
NEW DELHI: AgitatedGITATED members of the Congress, SP and the Left walked out of the Lok Sabha after they failed to get a concrete assurance from the Government over the fate of the Women8217;s Reservation Bill.

SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav said his party would even sacrifice its membership to ensure that the Bill was not brought in the House.