www.thestatesman.com India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 16 | ` 5.00 | @TheStatesmanLtd FOLLOW US: | KOLKATA | NEW DELHI 8th Day @thestatesmanltd | MUMBAI People’s Parliament, Always in Session thestatesman1875 | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | Evolve S P O RT S Chinese Whispers: A professor’s personal story Easter Eggs and Children 05 April 2026 Rizvi’s 90 powers DC to six-wicket win over MI Page 16 ‘Countdown to LDF exit begins; NDA poised for power in Kerala’ STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Thiruvananthapuram, 4 April Government to boost gas supply to fertiliser plants to 90 per cent from 6 April: New Delhi: From 6 April, gas supply to fertiliser plants will be increased to about 90 per cent of their average consumption over the past six months, as the government steps up efforts to maintain stability across key sectors amid the evolving situation in West Asia. The government said it continues to take coordinated measures to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies, smooth maritime operations, and the safety of Indian nationals in the region, even as geopolitical tensions impact global energy flows, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The government said natural gas supply to urea plants is currently steady at 70-75 per cent of their six-month average consumption and will be enhanced to around 90 per cent from 6 April, supported by existing inventories and scheduled LNG cargo arrivals. S tating that the countdown for the removal of the LDF government has started, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, asserted that a BJP-led NDA government would come to power in Kerala to drive growth. Addressing an election rally in Thiruvalla on Saturday, Mr Modi said the days of the Left government are numbered and that a big transformation is going to take place in Kerala. This time, the winds of change are being felt, for the first time, a BJP-NDA government is going to be formed. “I have come here before, but this time the winds of change are blowing differently. The biggest transformation is about to take place in Kerala. Voting will be held on 9 April, and on 4 May, the end of decades of misgovernance will be declared. The countdown to the exit of the LDF government has begun. For the first time, a BJP-NDA government is coming to power in Kerala,” the Prime Minister said. Mr Modi, who opened his speech by offering obeisance to Sabarimala Sri Ayyappa, said both the LDF and UDF tried to tarnish the sanctity of Sabarimala through the gold loot and that strong action would be taken against the gold loot if the NDA government comes to power. He also alleged that the top Congress leadership was also behind the Sabarimala gold loot. He pointed out that despite Kerala's high potential, the state continues to lag behind others in development. PM Modi specifically accused the Left government of delaying the Sabari rail project, which he claimed, has caused significant losses to the residents of Thiruvalla and surrounding areas. He promised a "double-engine government" to remove ‘Ghayal hoon, isliye ghaatak hoon’: Chadha hits back STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 4 April The public rift between Raghav Chadha and the Aam Aadmi Party took a new turn on Saturday, with the Rajya Sabha MP issuing a sharp rebuttal to allegations levelled against him by party leaders. Invoking a popular movie dialogue, Mr Chadha said: “Main ghayal hoon, isliye ghaatak hoon,” rejecting what he described as a “scripted campaign” against him. In a video statement, he also accused AAP leaders of repeating identical language and talking points, calling it a “coordinated attack.” “Since yesterday, a scripted campaign has been waged against me with the same allegations. Initially, I chose not to respond, but when a lie is repeated often enough, people may begin to believe it. That is why I decided to respond,” he said, Asserting that he would continue to “unmask falsehoods” directed at him, the AAP MP said his role in Parliament was to raise public issues, not to create disruptions. “I go to Parliament, which runs on taxpayers’ money, to raise their concerns—not to break mics or create noise,” he said, adding that his aim was to create “impact, not ruckus.” On allegations that he does not support Opposition walkouts, did not sign the impeachment motion against the Chief Election Commissioner, and avoids raising public issues, he challenged the party to prove even one of these claims. “These are white lies. There are CCTV cameras in the Rajya Sabha that can verify whether I supported walkouts,” he said. On the impeachment motion, he noted that only 50 MPs’ signatures are required and claimed that several AAP MPs had also not signed it. “No one from the party approached me regarding this,” he added. Dismissing claims that he fears the government or Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Chadha said he has consistently raised issues over the past four years, including Punjab’s water concerns, Delhi pollution, taxation, and menstrual health. these obstacles. Drawing parallels with the North-East and Goa, PM Modi mentioned that the NDA has successfully ensured development in regions with significant Christian populations, implying a similar commitment to Kerala He referred to his interaction with party workers during the Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot campaign, which connected over 1,25,000 karyakartas from 5,000 Shakti Kendras across Kerala. “One message was clear: Kerala has made up its mind to show the door to the LDF government,” he said. Mr Modi praised Anoop Antony, the NDA candidate in Thiruvalla, for his dedication. “Kerala stands to gain in this election. Anoop has worked with me tirelessly over the past five years. Today, I entrust him to you to serve the people of Kerala,” he said. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 4 April Amid the continuing wars in West Asia and Ukraine, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday asserted that India has solidly come through the multiple global shocks that have recently tested the country’s resilience. ‘’We have managed both Mamata Banerjee targets EC, BJP; challenges Amit Shah over voter roll deletions in Malda MEENAKSHI BHATTACHARYA MANAS R BANNERJEE New Delhi, 4 April Siliguri, 4 April India-Bangladesh relations are poised for a potential turning point with significant decisions regarding the Ganges water-sharing agreement likely to be made in New Delhi as the tenure of the India-Bangladesh Ganges Water Treaty is going to expire in December this year. In the light of this, Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman is scheduled to visit Delhi soon. According to sources, on 8 April, he will meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to discuss issues related to water distribution between the two nations. This meeting will mark the first high-level discussion between the two countries since Bangladesh's BNP came to power. Additionally, reports suggest that the new Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman (photo) is keen to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his forthcoming visit to India. It is also expected that plans for the Prime West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamul Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee on Saturday alleged that a “mockery of democracy” was being carried out in the name of the SIR exercise, as she launched a scathing attack on the Centre and the Election Commission of India while addressing an election rally at Manikchak in Malda. During her address, Miss Banerjee asked members of the gathering to indicate whether their names had been deleted from the electoral rolls under the SIR process. As numerous hands went up, she remarked that the scale of exclusion was “alarming” and asked that the moment be documented as evidence. Alleging large -scale disenfranchisement, she accused the Election Commission of acting in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party. She claimed that voters, particularly from minority communities in districts such as Malda and Murshidabad were selectively removed Sabha Speaker Om Birla attended Tarique Rahman’s swearing-in ceremony, carrying a letter from India's Prime Minister. Additionally, starting from July 2024, Delhi has suspended the issuance of tourist visas for Bangladeshi nationals, citing security concerns. Sources indicate that Dhaka plans to appeal for the reinstatement of these visas. Maintaining a respectful diplomatic stance, Bangladesh's Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman, aims to restore smoother bilateral relations with India. This meeting at the Foreign Minister level aligns with that objective. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 4 April The Union government on Saturday rejected reports and social media claims that an Iranian crude oil cargo was diverted from Vadinar in India to China due to payment issues, saying that they are “factually incorrect”. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in a post on X said: "The news reports and social media posts of an Iranian crude cargo being diverted from Vadinar, India to China due to “payment issues” are factually incorrect. India imports crude oil from 40+ countries, with companies having full flexibility to source oil from different sources & geographies based on commercial considerations." “Amid Middle East supply disruptions, Indian refiners have secured their crude oil requirements, including from Iran; and there is no payment hurdle for Iranian crude imports, contrary to the rumours being circulated,” the post read. “Claims on vessel diversion ignore how oil trade works. Bills of Lading often carry indicative discharge ports, destinations and on-sea cargoes can change destinations mid-voyage based on trade optimisation and operational flexibility," the post stated. Addressing the rumours around LPG supply, the ministry clarified that the LPG vessel Sea Bird, carrying around 44 TMT Iranian LPG, berthed at Mangalore on Thursday and is currently discharging. “It is reiterated that India's crude oil requirements remain fully secured for the coming months. On LPG too, some claims being made are incorrect as LPG vessel Sea Bird carrying around 44 TMT Iranian LPG berthed at Mangalore, India on 2 April and is currently discharging," the X post read. This comes after media reports, citing a commodity market analysis firm, claimed that a crude oil vessel heading to India diverted to China due to payment issues. Meanwhile, India-flagged large gas carrier Green Sanvi safely transited the Strait of Hormuz on Friday night, carrying approximately 46,650 metric tonnes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cargo, official sources said. The Centre has been in talks with Iranian authorities to allow Indian vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz amid a maritime blockade due to the ongoing West Asia conflict. Earlier on 28 March, a shipment of 47,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) arrived at the Vadinar Terminal of DPA Kandla in Jamnagar, Gujarat. EAM: India has come through multiple global shocks solidly India, Bangladesh set to hold talks on Ganges water sharing Minister’s potential trip will be a key topic during the ministerial-level discussions. In 2024, following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government, relations between Bangladesh and India steadily declined during the year and a half under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. However, with Tarique Rahman’s rise to power, these relations are showing signs of improvement once again. During the funeral of his mother, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar was present. Additionally, Lok ‘Factually incorrect’: India dismisses reports of Iran oil cargo diversion due to payment issues from the rolls following directions from New Delhi. “The Election Commission, along with the BJP, is depriving people of their voting rights,” Miss Banerjee alleged, adding that those responsible should apologise to affected citizens. She further described the Central government as “authoritarian” and urged people to bring about change through democratic means, stressing the need to safeguard constitutional rights. In a combative speech, the Chief Minister also launched a direct attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, throwing an open challenge to him. “Come here and see for yourself how people’s voting rights have been taken away. Selectively, Muslims, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other underprivileged sections have been deprived. I challenge you to witness the ground reality,” she said. Escalating her attack, Miss Banerjee referred to Mr Shah as “Mota Bhai” and accused him of orchestrating a broader conspiracy using central agencies. domestic and external challenges fairly successfully. In fact, more inclusive growth, representative politics and decisive leadership have created a new foundation from which we can all now harbor higher aspirations,’’ he said addressing the 15th annual convocation ceremony of IIM Raipur. Mr Jaishankar was of the view that the turbulence in the world currently is structural in many ways. The global order, he said, is changing before everyone’s eyes, with visible shifts in the relative power and influence of countries. ‘’The politics of some societies find it difficult to come to terms with these changes. New developments in technology, in energy, in military capabilities, in connectivity and in resources have encouraged risk taking in an increasingly competitive environment. Everything today is being leveraged, if not actually weaponised. The world is then confronted with the task of securing itself in an increasingly volatile and unpredictable environment. This has necessitated a larger inclination to hedge, to de-risk and to diversify, whether it is a business choice or a foreign policy one,’’ the minister said. He told the students that the prospects of those graduating today in India are far brighter than before. ‘’In fact, there is an optimism in our society that is lacking in many other parts of the world,’’ he added. Mr Jaishankar said building national capabilities has become more critical in the light of the global trends that are being witnessed. This is particularly so for large nations. Even in the developed world, the earlier ‘mantras’ of globalisation have now given way to a new awareness of self-reliance. ‘’For us in India, this is expressed as ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. Its value is obvious when it comes to food, health or energy security, or indeed to national security. We must endeavour to build and secure within our control as much capacity as we can. Obviously, some domains will be more difficult than others. In such cases, the answers lie in reliable, trusted partnerships and diverse sourcing,’’ he added.