Kolkata, Mar 18: CPM veteran Jyoti Basu has said that it would be tough for the ''Third Front'' to win the general polls and form a government.

"It will be tough for the ''Third Front'' to form the Central Government, as far as my knowledge is concerned," said Basu.

However, Basu said that the Communists could be part of government if the front came to power.

New Delhi, Mar 17: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Varun Gandhi, on Wednesday claimed that the tape showing his alleged anti-Muslim remarks has been doctored.

He told reporters that the CD released on March 16 was tampered with and refused to accept that the tape contained his voice.

Gandhi said that he is proud of his faith and is a Gandhi, a Hindu and an Indian in equal measure. " I''ve been a victim of a political controversy," said Gandhi.

Jodhpur, Mar 18: A massive fire gutted down over hundred shops in Jodhpur during the early morning hours of Wednesday.

Eyewitnesses said that 150-200 shops were completely destroyed.

Residents said that the police team arrived on time. However, the fire had spread and became uncontrollable when the fire brigades reached the spot.

"At around 3:00 a. m. fire was raging in this area. Police officials came on time, but the fire brigades arrived late. By the time the fire brigades came, the fire had already spread. The loss is estimated to be to the tune of Rupees two crores," said Mohammad Ali, an eyewitness.

New Delhi, Mar. 18: Having cocked a snook at the Congress party by only agreeing to give it three seats to contest from in Bihar, Railway Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad Yadav’s attempts to smoke the peace pipe with Congress president Sonia Gandhi came to naught late on Tuesday evening.

New Delhi, Mar 17: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arun Jaitley skipped the second party central election committee, slated to decide candidates from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh for the forthcoming general elections.

According to sources, party Vice President Venkaiah Naidu failed to convince Jaitley to attend the meeting.

New Delhi, Mar 17: The Election Commission has demanded the immediate transfer of two senior Bihar Government officials for permitting Union Minister for State Shakeel Ahmed to hold a public rally in a school in Darbhanga District while students were appearing for an examination.

The commission ordered Bihar Chief Secretary to post District Magistrate Arun Prasad and Superintendent of Police P K Darad to non-poll related assignments.

The Commission said that it had been brought to its notice that the public meeting addressed by Ahmed in the premises of Khirma High School at Darbhanga on March 14 affected students appearing for a practical examination.