Mau’s BSP candidate goes missing, campaigning on

Mau (UP): As the heat of the Lok Sabha elections reaches its pinnacle, a BSP candidate has gone missing. An FIR registered in a Varanasi police station accuses him of sexual assault. Atul Rai, the BSP candidate from the Ghosi seat in Mau district, has been missing from the campaign scene for the past fortnight. Rai is reportedly absconding ever since the FIR was registered against him on May 1 by a college student, who alleged that he had sexually assaulted her. Fearing arrest, Rai went underground and has not been canvassing. IANS

Pawar: BJP will fail to prove majority after forming govt                         

Mumbai: NCP chief Sharad Pawar has predicted a 13-day Vajpayee regime-like fate for the BJP if it tries to form the next government after the Lok Sabha poll results are announced on May 23. Pawar also said he does not think the BJP will be able to prove majority in Lok Sabha even if invited to form the new government. He said Opposition leaders will come together in Delhi a day or two before the counting of votes and discuss giving a stable government at the Centre. The BJP had emerged as the single largest party in 1996 polls. On May 16, 1996 Atal Bihari Vajpayee took oath as the PM, only to resign 13 days later. PTI