Quicktakes

Iqbal Mirchi's den raidedPANCHGANI: In a major swoop carried out jointly by the Mumbai Police and their counterparts from Satara, seven prop...

Iqbal Mirchi8217;s den raided

PANCHGANI: In a major swoop carried out jointly by the Mumbai Police and their counterparts from Satara, seven properties belonging to the notorious criminal and narcotics king Iqbal Merchant alias Iqbal Mirchi were raided and unspecified contraband was seized at this hill station about 100 kms from Pune this morning.

Cong, BJP stake claim in Himachal

SHIMLA: Congress and the BJP, both of whom do not have absolute majority in the 68-member Himachal Assembly, today staked separate claims to form the new government in Himachal Pradesh. While the Congress claim is based on its strength quot;being the single largest partyquot;, the BJP claims the support of the Himachal Vikas Congress HVC, which has four MLAs including former Union communications minister Sukh Ram. One BJP rebel elected from Jawalamukhi has also thrown his lot with the party. The Congress has won 31 seats in the 68-member Assembly while the BJP has 29.

Annan8217;s envoy

UNITEDNATIONS: India8217;s former permanent representative to the United Nations, Prakash Shah, has been tipped for appointment as the UN Secretary General8217;s special envoy to Iraq.

If appointed to this sensitive post, Shah8217;s main task would be to negotiate with Iraqi authorities on behalf of the Secretary General to resolve the inspections issue

.Srikrishna report

MUMBAI: The Srikrishna Commission report on the communal riots would be tabled in the budget session of the State Legislature, which begins from March 16, Chief Minister Manohar Joshi said today. A report on the action taken by the government on the report, would also be presented in the session, he said while addressing a press conference after the weekly cabinet meeting.

Alcan offer

MUMBAI: Canadian aluminium firm, Alcan, has finally made a counter offer to buy 20 per cent stake in Indian Aluminium Indal at a price of Rs 105 per share in retaliation to the Rs 90 offer made by Sterlite Industries. Alcan would beinvesting Rs 149 crore for the acquisition of about 14.2 lakh shares in Indal.