FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 20 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA LC | NEW DELHI PERSPECTIVE We’ve lost Asha, but not hope EDITORIAL PAGE Mess made by the West Page 9 Page 8 BRIEFLY Opposition unites against delimitation, seeks women’s quota rollout: New Delhi: Leaders of the Opposition INDIA bloc on Wednesday declared a unified stand against linking the Women’s Reservation Bill to a delimitation exercise, following a high-level strategy meeting at the residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi. Speaking after the meeting, Mr Kharge asserted: “We are united and have decided to oppose the delimitation bill,” indicating rare cohesion among Opposition parties ahead of the upcoming three-day special session of Parliament beginning Thursday. The meeting, attended by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and senior leaders from across parties, centred on concerns over the proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026. Page 5 Mamata flags ‘selective targeting’ of TMC leaders STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 15 April C hief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said her convoy was stopped for checking by Central forces, even as the Trinamul Congress lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission of India about purported instructions circulated via a WhatsApp group directing authorities to search vehicles belonging to its leaders, “I have no objection to checks, but the intent must be fair,” she said, calling it “selective targeting”. “Central forces tried to check my car when I was going to the Kolkata airport today. If you have the courage, check my car every day. But why not check the Prime Minister’s car too,” Miss Banerjee said at an election meeting at Islampur in North Dinajpur. While making it clear that she has nothing to hide, she asked why the same scrutiny is not applied to the “busy” Prime Minister and the “worthless” home minister. In Kolkata, the TMC filed a complaint with the Election Commission and shared purported screenshots of the poll body's “WhatsApp directive” ordering searches of its leaders’ vehicles. In its written complaint, the TMC said that the alleged order specifically targeted all TMC leaders except Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. It further alleged that vehicles used by Abhishek Banerjee and his wife, Rujira Narula Banerjee, were also named for inspection. The TMC alleged that the Commission had effectively singled out its leadership and even extended scrutiny to family members. The party further claimed that its outreach programmes and campaign-related activities were being targeted in the run-up to the polls. • More reports: Pages 2, 3 | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | Thursday, 16 April 2026