Unnerved by reports of the Muslim mood swinging against the Samajwadi Party after the Muzaffarnagar riots, the party leadership will now make efforts to pacify the agitated community.

About 60 select spokespersons and panellists from Team Rahul will take on Team Modi on each and every issue which the Gujarat strongman thinks would help in the upcoming battle for power.

The Congress on Saturday wondered why BJP chief Rajnath Singh and former UP chief minister did not visit Muzaffarnagar during the last three weeks since the outbreak of the communal violence and hinted that he was only trying to fish in troubled waters.

The UP police on Saturday arrested two more BJP MLAs and one BSP MLA for allegedly inciting violence and provoking communal tension in the recent Muzaffarnagar riots. The police has been put on alert in the western UP district to deal with possible protests by BJP supporters.

The Rajasthan government has amended its service rules by including provisos to transfer half of the salary of a government employee to his or her spouse’s account if the employee is a habitual drinker who fails to provide for his or her family.

Bogged down by frequent attack of dissident leaders in media, Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi here on Saturday threatened to resign if Congress president Sonia Gandhi desires him to do so.

Within days of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh unveiling austerity measures, including curb on foreign visits, ministry of food and consumer affairs is in a fix over a proposal for tour of the US by officials to study storages there of foodgrains. The proposal has further put the ministry in a bind, as recommendations of a similar exercise when a minister led delegation to China in 2010 are not yet implemented.

The Congress in Orissa has once again met the same fate: a crushing defeat in the hands of the ruling BJD. The signs of revival that was seen last year in its “Parivartan” rally at Mastercanteen Square here, seems to be existing no longer, if the results of the municipal elections are any indication.

Former Army chief Gen. V.K. Singh (Retd) on Saturday described the allegations against him and the Technical Support Division (TSD) — the controversial military intelligence unit set up during his tenure — as “laughable” and “motivated” and a campaign to malign him.

Elections in 12 municipalities were held in different districts even as the CPI(M)-led Left Front withdrew their candidates in Burdwan and Chakdah and boycotted the polls crying foul. The CPI(M) also alleged heavy rigging, intimidation and violence in Panihati.