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 | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | Through the veil Iran’s Foreign Minister returns to Pak as Islamabad races to save talks with US Page 6 Page 9 BRIEFLY Photojournalist Raghu Rai dies at 83: New Delhi: India has lost one of its most influential visual storytellers, as legendary photographer Raghu Rai passed away on Sunday at the age of 83, marking the end of an era in Indian photojournalism. The news of his death was confirmed through a tribute posted on his official Instagram account, featuring a poignant black-and-white portrait that reflected the aesthetic he perfected over decades. Celebrated for his ability to capture the “extraordinary in the ordinary”, Rai leaves behind an unparalleled archive documenting India’s social, political and cultural evolution. Born on 18 December 1942 in Jhang, Rai who started his career in 1965 in The Statesman rose to global prominence as a protégé of Henri CartierBresson, who nominated him to join Magnum Photos in 1977 ~ an achievement that cemented his place among the world’s elite photographers. Page 8 Jammu, 26 April In a bid to break the ice on lingering issues related to Ladakh, the Home Ministry convened a meeting of the sub-committee for political dialogue on 22 May. Informing this on Sunday, Lt. Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena wrote on X, “I am pleased to announce that the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India, has taken a decision to convene a meeting of the sub-committee for political dialogue on 22nd May.” “This will carry forward the PERSPECTIVE Energy system’s soft underbelly exposed Page 7 | Monday, 27 April 2026 Sai Sudharsan’s 87 powers GT to 8-wicket win over CSK Page 12 Trump unhurt as gunman invades WH Press dinner UNITED NEWS OF INDIA Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday sought to consolidate support for the Bharatiya Janata Party among the influential Matua community, promising citizenship and a “secure future” while launching a sharp attack on the ruling Trinamul Congress ahead of the second phase of the Assembly elections. Addressing a packed rally in Thakurnagar ~ the nerve centre of Matua politics in North 24-Parganas ~ Mr Modi said: “I say this clearly: you will be granted citizenship. You will have a permanent address, and all necessary documents as citizens of India will be handed to you. This is Modi’s guarantee.” Thakurnagar and adjoining Assembly segments have a sizeable Matua population, often playing a decisive role in electoral outcomes. Both the TMC and the BJP have been vying for their support. Recent complaints over PM condemns incident Washington, 26 April S hots were fired at a dinner of the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) that was being attended by US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President J D Vance and several top officials. There were no casualties and the gunman has been arrested. President Trump, his wife Melania and Vice President Vance, along with several Cabinet members were safely evacuated by the Secret Service as a man armed with guns and knives stormed the lobby outside the WHCA dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night, where he was tackled by Secret Service agents in a chaotic encounter. Washington police authorities declined to comment on the suspect’s motivation or intention at this point but said investigators believe the suspect was staying at the hotel. That appears to be how he was able to enter the hotel at the time of the event. The incident took place at 8:36 p.m. local time 25 April (6.06 a.m. IST 26 April) at the Washington Hilton, where the WHCA dinner was taking place. “At about that time, a sole gunman rushed a Secret Service checkpoint in a lobby at the hotel. Secret Service agents stopped the suspect. An agent was injured and transported to a local hospital, where the agent is receiving care,” an process of constructive democratic dialogue with key stakeholders of Ladakh and pave the way for an enduring solution to meet the aspirations of the people of Ladakh,” he wrote. In another post on X, the LG, referring to Home Minister Amit Shah’s two-day visit to Leh beginning on 30 April, wrote: “His visit underscores the commitment of the Government of India to the development of Ladakh.” It is worth mentioning that the sub-committee is tasked with holding discussions on various issues concerning Ladakh, including demands related to governance, representation and safeguards for the region. The move comes amid continued calls from political and social groups in Ladakh seeking constitutional safeguards, including statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Talks between the Home Ministry and representatives of the two main Ladakh organisations, Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), suffered a setback last year after four people were killed and about 90 were injured during violent incidents when the police opened fire on protesters. official said. Mr Trump said after the incident that a gunman who “charged a security checkpoint, armed with multiple weapons” was quickly overpowered by Secret Service personnel. He described the incident as “very unexpected.’’ The attacker charged from 50 yards away but was stopped before reaching the ballroom where the event was being held. “One officer was shot, but saved by the fact that he was wearing a, obviously a very good bulletproof vest…” New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed relief that US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania and Vice President J D Vance were safe following the shooting incident on Saturday night, and said violence has no place in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemned. ‘Relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady and Vice President are safe and unharmed following the recent security incident at a Washington DC hotel,' the Prime Minister said on X. Police believe he acted alone but did not say who was his intended target or describe a motive. • Related report: Page 9 SHAHID K ABBAS New Delhi, 26 April programme to broader development goals, the Prime Minister said it has delivered benefits across sectors including industry, energy, healthcare and agriculture. “India has always viewed science as linked with the nation’s progress,” he said, underlining technological capability as central to the government’s push for self-reliance and long-term economic growth. In a parallel focus on sustainability, Mr Modi highlighted India’s progress in renewable energy, particularly wind power, which he described as an “invisible force” propelling the country forward. “Today, this wind power is writing a new story of Bharat’s development,” he said, noting that installed wind energy capacity has crossed 56 gigawatts, making India the fourth-largest globally. The growth, he added, reflects “the hard work of our engineers, the efforts of our youth, and the collective willpower of the nation.” The emphasis on both nuclear and renewable energy comes as India seeks to balance energy security with climate commitments, reflecting a policy narrative that blends technological nationalism with green growth. Mr Modi also cited the transformation of regions in Gujarat into renewable energy hubs, pointing to job creation, new skills and emerging opportunities for youth. Referring to the upcoming Buddha Purnima, Mr Modi invoked Gautama Buddha, saying his teachings are “even more relevant” in a world facing conflict and uncertainty. “Peace begins RAJIB CHAKRABORTY Thakurnagar, 26 April deletion of names from electoral rolls during the SIR process have triggered resentment among sections of the community, an issue Mr Modi sought to address during his speech. Referring to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, Mr Modi said the Centre understood the plight of refugees. “We brought CAA because we understand your pain. But the Trinamul talks about scrapping this law,” he alleged, attempting to position the BJP as the protector of Matua interests. Beginning his campaign early on Sunday, Mr Modi first paid obeisance at the Thakurbari before heading to the rally venue. Invoking Subhas Chandra Bose, he said: “Netaji had said, ‘Give me blood and I will give you freedom.’ I say, give me your vote and I will free you from Trinamul rule.” Mr Modi maintained an aggressive tone throughout his address, accusing the state government of failing women and fostering a “syndicate raj”. “Women in Bengal have been deceived the most under the Trinamul government. This injustice will not continue. Those responsible for atrocities will have to go,” he said. Taking aim at the ruling party’s slogan, Mr Modi added: “They came to power in the name of ‘Maa, Maati, Manush’. Today they avoid speaking of it because doing so would expose their misdeeds.” He also referred to incidents in Sandeshkhali and the RG Kar hospital rape-murder case to question law and order and women’s safety in the state. Pitching for regime change, Mr Modi asserted that only a BJP government could free Bengal from “corruption, insecurity and unemployment”. AAP seeks disqualification of 7 Rajya Sabha MPs who joined BJP STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 26 April The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has moved a petition before the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, seeking the disqualification of seven of its MPs who recently joined the BJP, AAP leader Sanjay Singh said on Sunday. In a major setback to the party, seven out of the AAP’s 10 Rajya Sabha members joined the BJP on 24 April. Addressing a Press conference at the party headquarters, Sanjay Singh, Leader of AAP in the Rajya Sabha, stated that PM Modi highlights nuclear milestone, wind energy surge and cultural legacy in ‘Mann Ki Baat’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday used the 133rd episode of his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio talk to spotlight India’s indigenous nuclear breakthrough and rapidly expanding clean energy capacity, projecting scientific progress and self-reliance as key pillars of nation-building amid an ongoing election season. Opening the broadcast with what he described as a “very big achievement of the country,” Mr Modi pointed to the recent criticality achieved by the Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu, calling it “a historic milestone in Bharat’s nuclear energy journey.” Emphasising its strategic importance, he noted that the reactor has been built “entirely with indigenous technology,” adding that such advances would “give new energy to our resolve of a developed India.” Linking the civil nuclear SILIGURI Bengal elections: PM Modi courts Matua voters, promises citizenship Fresh push for Ladakh talks as MHA convenes sub-committee meet on 22 May STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE | SPORTS WORLD EDITORIAL PAGE LUCKNOW within,” he said, positioning India’s civilisational ethos within contemporary global challenges. The Prime Minister also highlighted governance initiatives such as the upcoming digital Census 2027, urging citizens to participate in what he termed the “world’s largest census,” redesigned to incorporate digital tools and self-enumeration options as part of a broader push for technology-driven governance. Mr Modi remembered Rabindranath Tagore ahead of his birth anniversary on 9 May, describing him as a “multi-dimensional personality” whose work as a writer, thinker and institution-builder continues to inspire generations. He noted Tagore’s emphasis on sustainable livelihoods and rural development, and recalled his own visits to Shantiniketan, the institution nurtured by the Nobel laureate. The address also touched on economic opportunities in the North-east, particularly in the bamboo sector, which Mr Modi said has flourished following policy changes in 2017. He credited the reforms for transforming bamboo into a driver of employment, entrepreneurship and innovation, especially benefiting women, and urged citizens to support local products. Highlighting India’s growing global presence, Mr Modi praised the performance of Indian students at the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad and pointed to the digitisation of over 200 million historical documents by the National Archives, describing it as a bridge connecting “our past and present.” He also cited examples of environmental conservation and cultural enterprise, from flamingo habitats in Kutch and wildlife protection efforts in central India to the rising global recognition of Indian cheese varieties. Constitutional experts believe the disqualification of these MPs is inevitable. He asserted that their actions amount not only to a betrayal of the AAP but also of the people of Punjab, democracy, and the Constitution. The AAP MP alleged that the BJP has institutionalised the politics of defections by using central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to pressure Opposition leaders before inducting them into the party. Mr Singh further claimed that leading Constitutional experts and senior advocates, including Kapil Sibal and P. D. T. Achary, have indicated that the membership of all seven MPs who merged with the BJP after leaving AAP is liable to be terminated. “Even a Supreme Court lawyer associated with an NDA constituent had said during a media interaction on Saturday that their membership would go in any case,” he added. Elaborating on the petition, Singh said: “After consulting experts and seeking legal opinion, I have submitted a petition to the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. It requests that under the provisions of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, the membership of all seven MPs be terminated. I have urged that the matter be heard at the earliest and a just decision be delivered.” He termed the defections as a “serious threat to democratic values,” adding: “Leaders elected on a party’s mandate are being coerced through misuse of agencies and then absorbed into another party. This is a betrayal of democracy, the people of Punjab, and the Constitution itself.” Mr Singh also stated that if elected representatives have ideological differences, they should resign before switching parties. “Those elected by the party’s MLAs are now speaking against the same party. I am confident that the Chairman will take a prompt decision and cancel their membership,” he said.