FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 BRIEFLY Asha Bhosle laid to rest with full state honours: Mumbai: The curtains came down on one of Indian cinema’s most iconic voices as legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle was laid to rest with full state honours at Shivaji Park Crematorium in Mumbai on Monday. The cremation, held at 4 pm, marked the conclusion of her extraordinary eight-decade career that left an indelible mark on Hindi film music and beyond, as the nation collectively mourned the loss of a cultural icon. The last rites were conducted in the presence of prominent dignitaries and members of the film industry. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar attended the ceremony, alongside film personalities including Aamir Khan, Anu Malik, Vicky Kaushal and Shaan. | Pages 16 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA | NEW DELHI Tehran , 13 April The Unified Command of the Iranian Armed Forces on Monday issued a stark warning in response to the US naval blockade, declaring that the security of ports across the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman is under direct threat. Tehran stressed that any aggression toward Iranian ports could trigger regional instability, declaring these strategic waters are “either for everyone or for no one.” “The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran consider defending the legal rights of Bengal SIR: Apex court flags concerns over voter exclusion New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday observed that if a candidate wins by a margin of 2 per cent and 15 per cent of voters are unable to vote due to their exclusion from the electoral rolls, it would be a matter of concern and may require closer scrutiny. The Court also noted that voters in West Bengal appeared to be “sandwiched” between two constitutional authorities — the State government and the Election Commission of India (ECI) — due to a “trust deficit.” A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing pleas arising out of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal and the functioning of the Appellate Tribunals, which are tasked with deciding over 34 lakh appeals, with the first phase of polling scheduled for next week. Page 3 MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR Arrest me if you can: Mamata challenges Central agencies KANCHAN SIDDIQUI Durgapur, 13 April T rinamul Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee on Sunday claimed that the BJP had entered into understandings with various parties in other states where elections were recently held, depending on political convenience. Addressing a poll rally in Durgapur, she also criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI) and issued instructions to counting agents. “Guard the EVMs carefully. If any machine malfunctions, do not allow voting on it. Ask for a replacement, and before permitting voting, ensure a mock count from 1 to 1,000,” she said. She further cautioned them against accepting food from unknown sources, alleging the possibility of being drugged. Ms Banerjee accused the ECI of targeting West Bengal, stating: “The ECI has singled out Bengal.” Speaking at a well-attended rally held at the Chaturanga fairground in City Centre for party candidates Pradip Majumdar (Durgapur Purba) and Kabi Dutta (Durgapur Paschim), she launched a sharp attack on the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Mr Modi does not have a majority in Parliament. By relying on the support of two parties and using agencies such as the ED and CBI, they are running the government, which will collapse by the end of the year,” she alleged, reiterating a claim she had earlier made on 26 March at a rally in Pandaveswar. Taking a dig at the BJP over the recent Assembly elections in four states, Ms Banerjee alleged that the party had reached tacit understandings with rivals. “In those states, elections were conducted with full understanding ~ sometimes with the Congress, sometimes with the CPI-M, and sometimes with others,” she said. She further alleged that 520 officials had been transferred out of West Bengal deliberately to facilitate the movement of Iran threatens ports in Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman as USA declares blockade UNITED NEWS OF INDIA | our country a natural and legal duty, and accordingly, exercising the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the territorial waters of our country is the natural right of the Iranian nation,” IRIB cited Iran’s forces as stating. “Enemy-affiliated vessels” will not have the right to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, while other vessels will be allowed passage, subject to regulations by Tehran, said the statement. “The criminal US’s imposition of restrictions on the movement of vessels in international waters is an illegal act and amounts to piracy”. It stated that if the security of the ports is threatened, no port in the region “will be safe.” State broadcaster IRIB highlighted what it portrayed as inconsistent U.S. positions on the Strait of Hormuz: “America on odd days: We don’t use the Strait of Hormuz. We don’t care. Let others keep it open! America on even days: If Iran doesn’t keep the Strait of Hormuz open, we’ll respond harshly!” The statement from Iran’s Armed Forces Central Headquarters concluded: “Security in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is either for everyone or for NO ONE. If Iran’s ports are threatened, NO PORT in the region— including those in Oman and other Gulf countries — will be safe.” Speculation is rising about the possibility of a broader naval standoff, with observers questioning whether other key maritime chokepoints, such as the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, could face similar tensions. • Related reports: Page 11 arms and money into the state via rail and road routes across the borders. “They have allowed political interference to the highest degree. They are running the country in a one-sided manner, which Bengal will not accept,” she said, adding that the BJP should first “face the mothers and sisters” of the state. Ms Banerjee reached the Chaturanga ground after a road show in Bankura town. Earlier in the day, she addressed a public meeting at Raghunathpur, located near the Ausgram and Galsi Assembly constituencies. She also alleged a “massive conspiracy” to delete names of valid voters from electoral rolls. “Out of 9 million names deleted, 6 million were Hindus and 3 million Muslims. They are bringing outsiders to marginalise the people of Bengal during the polls as they seek to capture the state through unethical means,” she claimed. | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | Tuesday, 14 April 2026 Shah alleges gundaraj in Birbhum, vows crackdown if BJP voted to power STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata , 13 April Union home minister Amit Shah launched a sharp attack on the ruling Trinamul Congress during his campaign in Birbhum on Monday, accusing it of fostering “gundaraj” and corruption, and asserting that a BJP government after 4 May would take strict action against offenders. Addressing a rally at Bolpur, Shah alleged that after the 2021 election, BJP workers in the region faced severe atrocities. He urged voters to “bid goodbye” to Mamata Banerjee’s government and promised that those involved in syndicates and cut-money practices would be dealt with strictly. “We will straighten them by hanging them upside down,” he said, adding that a “double-engine government” would usher in a new era of development in the state. He warned alleged miscreants to stay indoors on 23 April, the polling day, or face arrest after 5 May. “People of West Bengal will give answers to bombs with ballots and respond to fear with trust,” Shah said, urging voters in Birbhum to press the lotus symbol on voting machines. Raising allegations of corruption, Shah claimed that funds under central schemes like Jal Jeevan Mission had not reached beneficiaries. He accused Trinamul leaders of siphoning off money and pointed to poor infrastructure work in areas like Mayureswar. He also alleged irregularities in recruitment, ration distribution, MGNREGA and housing schemes, stating that only the BJP under Prime Minister Narendra Modi could curb corruption. On women’s safety, Shah criticised the state government, saying that Bengal would be made safe for women to step out even at night. He also promised to implement a Uniform Civil Code if the BJP came to power and reiterated his party’s stance on stopping infiltration, claiming that infiltrators would be identified and deported after 4 May. Earlier in the day, Shah held his first rally in Bolpur at the Pallimangal Club ground, where he made a notable gesture by asking security personnel to step aside and allow people to enter without checks. He is also scheduled to address another rally in Khayrasole in Birbhum, followed by a public meeting and a road show in Paschim Bardhaman.