FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 12 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR Though the sky stumbles, the spirit soars 3rd ODI: Centuries from Mitchell and Phillips guide New Zealand to series win Page 11 Bundelkhand’s water heritage being saved Page 12 NORTH-EAST Prescription for politics Page 7 Page 6 Monday, 19 January 2026 SPORTS PERSPECTIVE EDITORIAL PAGE | Bagdogra-bound flight makes emergency landing after bomb threat: PM targets TMC ‘maha-jungleraj’ at Singur rally, launches `830-cr projects TMC counters Modi’s statements, calls them ‘volume of lies’ STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Lucknow: An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Bagdogra made an emergency landing at the Chaudhury Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow on Sunday following a bomb threat. According to airport sources, ATC received a bomb threat on IndiGo flight 6E-6650 at 8.46 a.m. on Sunday. The plane landed at Lucknow airport at 9.17 a.m. According to reports, a threatening message was found on a napkin inside the plane’s bathroom. It read, “There’s a bomb on the plane.” A passenger spotted the napkin and informed a crew member. The flight was then diverted to Lucknow. After disembarking the passengers, the plane was parked in the isolation bay, where it was thoroughly examined by security agencies. rime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the ruling Trinamul Congress (TMC) while addressing a public rally at Singur in West Bengal, asserting that the people of the state are determined to end what he described as the 15-year-long “maha-jungleraj” under the Mamata Banerjee-led government. The Prime Minister was in the state to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for development projects worth over Rs 830 crore and to flag off three Amrit Bharat Express trains connecting Kolkata with New Delhi, Varanasi and Chennai. Addressing the gathering, Mr Modi said people from all walks of life ~ mothers, sisters, farmers and youth ~ had assembled with a shared aspiration for change. “Everyone BRIEFLY Kolkata, 18 January P wants to put an end to the 15-year maha-jungleraj. The BJP has once again stopped jungleraj in Bihar, and now West Bengal is also ready to bid farewell to TMC’s maha-jungleraj,” he said. The Prime Minister sharply criticised the state government over law and order, border security and alleged infiltration. “The TMC government is playing with the security of West Bengal and the country. The youth, in particular, need to be extremely cautious,” he said, alleging that the ruling party was providing protection and facilities to infiltrators. He claimed the Centre had repeatedly written to the state government over the past 11 years seeking land for fencing along the Bengal border, but the requests were ignored. “TMC provides patronage to gangs that protect infiltrators and help create fake documents. The time has come when infiltration must be completely stopped,” Mr Modi said. Highlighting Bengal’s natural and economic potential, the Prime Minister said the state has vast rivers, an extensive coastline, fertile land and unique strengths in every district. “The BJP will further enhance this strength of every district,” he added. With Assembly elections due in the next three months, Mr Modi said industrial growth and investments would come to Bengal only if law and order improved. “In Bengal, rioters, looters and mafias have been given free rein. Syndicate tax is imposed on everything. Only a BJP government will end this syndicate tax and mafia rule~this is Modi’s guarantee,” he asserted. The Prime Minister also accused the state government of obstructing the implementation of central welfare schemes. “I want to serve the people of Bengal, but the TMC government prevents the benefits of central schemes from reaching them,” he said. Referring to the welfare of fishermen, he added that while the Centre had created a digital platform to register fishermen nationwide, the state government had “put brakes” on the initiative. “The central government is working towards the goal of a developed eastern India,” he said. Mr Modi paid tribute to the 150 anniversary of Vande Mataram, underlining its cultural link with the region. “I have come to Singur at a time when the country has celebrated 150 years of Vande Mataram. Parliament too held a special discussion to honour Rishi Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay,” he said. “The connection between Hooghly and Vande Mataram is very special. It is believed that it was here that Rishi Bankim gave the song its full form. Just as Vande Mataram became the proclamation of independence, we must make it the mantra for the development of West Bengal and India,” he added. Kolkata, 18 January The Trinamul Congress leadership strongly criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what they described as his “volumes of lies” during his rally in Singur this afternoon. Addressing the Press, Trinamul Congress MP Parth Bhowmick (photo) said: “Modi is either suffering from Alzheimer’s or lying deliberately. He claimed that he was instrumental in securing UNESCO recognition for Durga Puja. Yet, the BJP had earlier alleged that Mamata Banerjee did not allow Durga Puja to take place in Bengal. State BJP leaders went to court challenging the government’s financial assistance to Durga Puja organisers. The Durga Puja carnival introduced by Miss Banerjee has, in fact, attracted global attention.” Mr Bhowmick further countered the Prime Minister’s remarks on law and order in Bengal. “Festivals have been held peacefully. Recently, the Gangasagar Mela was conducted without incident. In contrast, we witnessed chaos at the Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh, which led to deaths,” he said. On the issue of infiltrators and Rohingyas, Mr Bhowmick remarked: “If the Prime Minister is serious, he should ask the Election Commission of India to publish a list of infiltrators and Rohingyas in Bengal. The ECI issues new advisories every day. Now they have said that the admit card of the Madhyamik examination will not be treated as a birth certificate. Such arbitrary decisions are being taken only to harass people.” As suspense over Mumbai mayor continues, UAE Prez to visit India to discuss regional situation, other issues Fadnavis dismisses rumours of dispute STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 18 January As the suspense over the Mumbai mayor continues with Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena moving its corporators to hotels, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis (photo) has dismissed rumours of a dispute among the Mahayuti allies. Mr Fadnavis said that the decision on who will become the mayor will be made by him, Eknath Shinde and other party leaders. “Who will become the mayor, when the mayor will be elected, where it will be decided, and for how many years, these decisions will be taken together by me, Eknath Shinde, and our party leaders. There is no dispute at all,” Mr Fadnavis said. His remarks came after Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, addressing party workers after the BMC election results, said that if God is willing, Mumbai will have a Shiv Sena (UBT) mayor. “It’s my dream to install a Shiv Sena (UBT) mayor in Mumbai, and if God is willing, this dream will be realised,” he said. The former Maharashtra Chief Minister asserted that the BJP could not finish Shiv Sena on the ground as it “failed to buy the loyalty of people”. On Sunday, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut claimed that several newly elected corporators of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena do not want the BJP to have a mayor in Mumbai. Speaking to reporters amid intensifying political activity following the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, Raut said many of the corporators who are currently with the Shinde faction were originally part of the undivided Shiv Sena founded by Bal Thackeray. "Our understanding is that nobody wants a BJP mayor in Mumbai," he said. Raut's remarks came after Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde moved 29 Shiv Sena corporators to a luxury hotel in Mumbai. In the recently concluded BMC elections, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats, and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena bagged 29. On the other hand, the Uddhav-led Sena won 65 seats and its ally, MNS seven. Despite the BJP-Shinde Sena alliance getting a majority, a decision on who will be the next Mumbai mayor is yet to be announced. JLF Day 4: Former CJI DY Chandrachud says Constitution holding society together STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Jaipur, 18 January Former Chief Justice of India Justice D.Y. Chandrachud described the Constitution as the “common stone” that holds society together, highlighting how the courts have expanded its scope to include dignity, liberty, and the right to a speedy trial. In one of the most significant conversations of Day 4 at JLF 2026, during the session Ideas of Justice, the former CJI spoke on constitutional morality, judicial independence, and the evolving meaning of justice in a diverse and democratic society. He was in dialogue with Vir Sanghvi. Drawing from his book Why the Constitution Matters, Justice Chandrachud explained what justice truly means in a constitutional democracy. He stressed that justice is not abstract but lived, rooted in transparency, fairness, and accountability. The fourth day of the Vedanta Jaipur Literature Festival continued its tradition of rigorous debate and wide-ranging conversations, bringing together leading voices from literature, politics, law, and technology to reflect on power, justice, leadership, and the stories that shape our world. As Day 4 drew to a close, the festival once again underscored its role as a global forum for ideas, where literature, politics, law, and technology converge to interrogate the present and imagine more just and inclusive futures. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 18 January At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will pay an official visit to India on 19 January, the Ministry of External Affairs announced here on Sunday. This will be his third official visit to India since assuming office as President of the UAE, and fifth over the past decade. The visit builds on the strong momentum generated by recent high-level exchanges, including the visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in September 2024, and that of UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in April 2025. India and the UAE share warm, close, and multi-faceted relations, underpinned by strong political, cultural, and economic ties. The two countries are among each other’s top trading and investment partners, bolstered by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the Local Currency Settlement (LCS) system, and the Bilateral Investment Treaty. India and the UAE also enjoy a robust energy partnership, including long-term energy supply arrangements. The visit will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to chart new frontiers for the India–UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. It will also enable an exchange of views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, where India and the UAE share a high degree of convergence, the MEA said. Lost Homeland Kashmiri Pandits initiated the Kamna Lakshya Yagna Mahaabhiyan Avahan – Asht Bhairav Jagadamba Mahayagya to reiterate their long-pending demand for a separate homeland, marking 35 years of their displacement from the Kashmir Valley on Sunday. AGENCIES EU puts US trade deal talks on hold after Trump threatens tariffs over Greenland UNITED NEWS OF INDIA Brussels, 18 January Tensions between the European Union and the United States have escalated to such an extent that the EU has put negotiations on hold for the proposed EU–US trade deal after US President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on Denmark and several other European countries, linking the move to his push to acquire Greenland. EU leaders issued a warning, saying that the tariffs could damage transatlantic relations while reaffirming their full support for Denmark and Greenland, underscoring that sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable principles. The trade deal, agreed last July 2025, was designed to reduce tariffs on imports from the US and strengthen bilateral economic ties. Following Mr Trump’s warning to impose tariffs unless Greenland is sold, the EU called for a pause in the ratification process of the trade deal announced in July 2025. The agreement includes all 27 EU member states. Mr Trump’s posts on Truth Social have cast doubt on the deal’s future. He threatened 10 per cent tariffs on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland starting 1 February, 2026, rising to 25 percent from 1 June, unless Greenland is “completely and totally” sold to the United States. Mr Trump cited Greenland’s “strategic location and mineral resources as critical to US national security” and warned: “Starting on February 1st, 2026, all of the above-mentioned Countries…will be charged a 10 percent tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America. On 1st June, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25 per cent. This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.” European officials, including European People’s Party Vice-President Siegfried Muresan (photo), said the announcement undermines the stability the trade deal was meant to ensure. “Stability would have been the only gain from last year’s trade deal between the US and the European Union. Today’s announcement by President Trump to eventually impose new tariffs on several EU member states takes away that stability. This is why the postponement of the ratification of that trade deal is justified,” Mr Muresan said. He also confirmed in a post on X that the ratification of the July 2025 deal will have to wait, “We were supposed to ratify the EU-US trade deal from last July very soon, reducing tariffs for imports from the US into the European union to 0 per cent. However, in light of recent developments, this ratification will have to wait a little longer in this new context.” Mr Trump is hell-bent on acquiring Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, citing national security concerns. Denmark and Greenland have rejected the idea,