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 | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI US, Iran prepare for ceasefire talks; Netanyahu authorises negotiations with Lebanon Nitish Kumar in Rajya Sabha: What next for Bihar and JD(U) politics? PERSPECTIVE Light that shows India the way Page 5 Page 7 Page 9 BJP unveils manifesto ‘Sankalp Patra’ for Bengal STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 10 April T he Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday unveiled its ‘Sankalp Patra’ for the forthcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, promising a mix of welfare measures, administrative reforms and a tough stance on infiltration, as Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a sharp attack on the incumbent government led by Mamata Banerjee. Describing the manifesto as a roadmap for building a “Sonar Bangla”, Mr Shah alleged that the past 15 years under the All India Trinamul Congress (TMC) had been a “nightmare” for the people of the state, marked by corruption, deteriorating law and order, and lack of development. The BJP’s poll document places significant emphasis on national security and border management, with Mr Shah asserting that a BJP government in the state would adopt a policy of “detect, delete and deport” to tackle infiltration. “There will be zero tolerance towards infiltration in Bengal,” he said, adding that a uniform legal framework would be ensured for all citizens, alongside safeguards for freedom of religion. In a bid to consolidate support among women voters, the party has promised a monthly financial assistance of Rs 3,000 for women across the state. It has also pledged 33 per cent reservation for women in all government jobs, including the police force, and announced the formation of a dedicated women’s security unit named ‘Durga Suraksha Squad’. The manifesto also seeks to address unemployment, with a promise of Rs 3,000 monthly allowance for jobless youth until employment is secured. Additionally, the BJP has committed to generating employment opportunities for up to one crore people over the next five years through a mix of industrial growth and self-employment initiatives. ‘Police tried to shield Mohta’ STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 10 April The Enforcement Directorate’s actions targeting Sushil Mohta, Saket Mohta and others of the Merlin Group continued for a third day today with several papers and files reportedly seized. It is learnt reliably that the complainant, Mohan Chandra Mondal, has been asked by ED to present himself on 15 April to assist the investigation. Meanwhile, The Statesman has learnt that Mondal had alleged in his writ petition filed with Calcutta High Court that officials of Kolkata Police had made strenuous efforts over the past two months to protect the controversial builder, who is said to be very close to Mayor Firhad Hakim and several senior officers of the state government. In his petition seeking a direction of mandamus, Mondal, who alleges that Mohta and others had deprived him of his 3.65 acre plot in Anandapur through fraud and forgery, stated that officers of the Anti-Fraud Section of Kolkata Police had tried their best to persuade him to withdraw the case. Mondal has alleged in his writ petition, which is pending adjudication Saturday, 11 April 2026 SPORTS NATION WORLD | before the Calcutta High Court, that the criminal case registered with Anandapur police station against the Mohtas and their associates on directions of the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Alipore on 9 January 2026, was abruptly taken over by the Anti-Fraud section four days later. He said he was summoned by the Anti-Fraud Section on 24 and 28 January 2026. On the first day, he alleges that officers made inquiries from him about the legal strategy he proposed to adopt in case the Mohtas and their co-accused filed quashing proceedings, or sought bail, and the legal precedents he would cite. “Such conduct is highly suspicious and wholly inconsistent with the role of an impartial investigative agency,” Mondal stated in his writ. On 28 January, he has alleged that officers of the Anti-Fraud section “tried their level best to dissuade” him and his advocate from pursuing the case. Mondal submitted to the High Court that various state agencies were themselves involved in the commission of the office and that Kolkata Police could not be “expected to conduct a fair, impartial and effective investigation”. He further submitted: “The allegations in the present case involve influential persons, public servants, politically connected individuals, due to which the police authorities, being under the administrative control of the State, cannot be expected to conduct an independent and fearless investigation.” IPL 2026: Delhi look to ‘capitalise’ on struggling CSK’s vulnerabilities Page 12 Justice Varma steps down as impeachment heat peaks: New Delhi: Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court, against whom the Lok Sabha had initiated an impeachment process, has sent in his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu. The judge was mired in a controversy after bundles of currency notes were found burnt in a fire at his Delhi residence on 14 March 2025. Following the discovery, he was transferred from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court. He was sworn in at the Allahabad High Court on 5 April 2025. However, he was not given any responsibility and kept away from judicial work while the investigation against him was pending.