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 | Tuesday, 28 April 2026 SPORTS WORLD ‘Iran asks US to end blockade’ BUSINESS NATION Stock Market rebounds after three sessions of losses No consensus at BRICS+: Congalleges India triggered rift Page 10 Champions League: Stylish PSG-Bayern vs gritty AtleticoArsenal Page 5 Page 9 PM calls for regime change in West Bengal, slams TMC RAJIB CHAKRABORTY Barrackpore, 27 April P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called for a change of government in West Bengal, alleging industrial decline, rising violence and lack of vision under the ruling Trinamul Congress. The Prime Minister was addressing a massive rally in Barrackpore ahead of the second phase of Assembly polls. Addressing the gathering in Bhatpara on the last day of campaigning, Modi said the once-thriving Barrackpore industrial belt had witnessed a steady collapse. “There was a time when people came here in search of work. Today, people are being forced to leave. The sound of factories has been replaced by the sound of gunfire,” he said, referring to the closure of several jute and textile mills in recent months. Citing the condition of the Auckland Jute Mill and other shut units, the Prime Minister alleged that nearly a dozen jute mills in the region had ceased operations in the past few months, turning the industrial belt into a symbol of economic distress. He accused the state government of failing to provide any roadmap for revival. “They neither have intent nor vision for Bengal’s future,” he said. With the second phase of polling scheduled on Wednesday across 142 constituencies, Modi exuded confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party would form the next government in the state. “After 4 May, I will return for the oath-taking ceremony of the BJP government,” he said, adding that his recent campaign tours across Bengal indicated a strong desire for political change among voters. Launching a sharp attack on the ruling dispensation, the Prime Minister alleged widespread corruption, “syndicate raj”, political violence and appeasement politics. He urged voters to “wipe out Trinamul from every booth” and vote for the BJP’s lotus symbol to usher in development and restore law and order. Modi also sought to reassure minority communities, stating that no Indian citizen would face discrimination under a BJP regime, irrespective of religion, but asserted that “infiltrators would not be spared.” Addressing Matua and Namasudra communities, he reiterated the Centre’s commitment to granting citizenship rights and documentation benefits. Invoking Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Modi said, “Netaji had asked for blood in exchange for freedom. You have given 70 years to Congress, the Left and Trinamul. Now give BJP one opportunity.” He claimed that a “double-engine government” would accelerate development across the state. The Prime Minister outlined a slew of welfare promises, including implementation of Ayushman Bharat with health coverage up to Rs 5 lakh, financial assistance for women, support for pregnant mothers, and expanded benefits under central schemes such as PM Vishwakarma and PM Matsya Yojana. He also promised employment generation, timely government recruitment and implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission benefits for state employees. Focusing on urban development, Modi said Kolkata would be transformed into a “city of the future” with expanded metro networks and electric bus systems. He also highlighted plans to promote the creative economy, including gaming, arts and content creation hubs for youth. Accusing the ruling party of fostering a climate of fear, especially for women, Modi said justice would be ensured in cases of atrocities and all pending files would be reopened. “Women’s safety and empowerment will be a top priority,” he added. He concluded by reiterating that Bengal’s industrial revival and job creation would be central to BJP’s agenda. “Factories will return, investments will grow, and youth will find opportunities here again,” Modi said, urging voters to back the BJP for a “new and prosperous Bengal.” Rebels recast Rajya Sabha math as seven AAP MPs formally merge with BJP, boosting NDA tally STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 27 April In a significant realignment in Parliament’s Upper House, seven rebel MPs from the Aam Aadmi Par ty have formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, reshaping the numerical balance in the Rajya Sabha and strengthening the ruling coalition’s legislative hand. The updated party-wise position on the Rajya Sabha website on Monday reflected the induction, days after Raghav Chadha and six other MPs broke ranks with AAP and opted to merge with the BJP. The development followed Chadha’s removal from the post of deputy leader in the Upper House last month, a move that had signalled deepening fissures within the party’s parliamentary wing. Sources said the Rajya Sabha Chairman has accepted the merger of the seven MPs with the BJP, triggering an immediate shift in party strengths. The BJP’s tally has now risen to 113 members in the 245-member House, up from 106, while AAP’s presence has shrunk sharply to just three MPs. The broader National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has also gained from the switch, with its combined strength increasing from 141 to 148, including nominated members. The surge brings the ruling bloc closer to a commanding position in the Upper House, where numbers often dictate the fate of key legislation. “This is a decisive moment in consolidating support for the government’s reform agenda in the Rajya Sabha,” a senior BJP leader said, adding that the party remains “optimistic about further gains as vacancies arise later this year.” Over 30 seats are expected to fall vacant by the end of the year, and BJP strategists believe the party could secure at least five more seats, inching closer to the two-thirds majority mark of 163. For the AAP, the development marks a steep setback in national parliamentar y representation. Party insiders, however, maintained that the departures were “not reflective of the organisation’s grassroots strength” and reiterated their focus on governance in states where they are in power. The reshaped House now presents a clearer picture of political alignments. The Indian National Congress holds 29 seats, followed by the All India Trinamool Congress with 13. Several regional parties, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Bharat Rashtra Samithi, and Communist Party of India (Marxist), have three members each, underscoring the fragmented opp osition landscape. A cluster of smaller parties and regional outfits—ranging from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha to the Telugu Desam Party and the Shiv Sena—hold two seats apiece, while a long tail of parties, including factions of the Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party, and others, are represented by a single MP each. The House also includes three Independents, one vacancy from Jharkhand, and seven nominated members. With the BJP-led NDA tightening its grip numerically, the latest shift is expected to have a bearing on legislative negotiations and the passage of contentious bills, especially in a House where the government has historically had to rely on issue-based support from regional players. India and New Zealand ink ‘once-in-a-generation’ $20 billion FTA STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 27April India and New Zealand on Monday signed the IndiaNew Zealand Free Trade Agreement giving duty-free access, and a commitment of $20 billion investment between both the countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the FTA said, "Today marks a landmark moment in the India-New Zealand partnership! I am delighted that the India-New Zealand FTA signed today will add unprecedented momentum to our developmental partnership. It reflects the deep trust, shared values and ambition that bind our two nations. This agreement will greatly benefit our farmers, youth, women, MSMEs, artisans, startups, students and innovators." "It will open new avenues for growth, create opportunities and deepen our synergy across sectors. The investment commitment of $20 billion by New Zealand will further strengthen our cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing, innovation and technology, paving the way for a more prosperous and dynamic future for both countries." Prime Minister of New Zealand, Christopher Luxon, called the deal a "historic milestone", noting that the deal unlocks major opportunities for trade, investment, and innovation for both countries. He highlighted that it will expand market access, support export growth, and enable collaboration in areas like agriculture, while also reinforcing a shared commitment to stable, rules-based trade and deeper people-to-people ties. PM Luxon noted that the agreement is a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity that will create new avenues for exporters, generate employment, and unlock significant economic potential. It is expected to not only strengthen existing business ties but also accelerate the development of new partnerships, enhancing overall economic engagement between the two countries. The FTA provides duty-free access for 100% of India's exports to New Zealand, covering all tariff lines, and is expected to significantly boost MSMEs and employment by enhancing competitiveness in labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, and processed foods. Earlier, New Zealand maintained peak tariffs of up to 10% on key Indian exports including ceramics, carpets, automobiles, and auto components. With zero-duty market access from entry into force as New Zealand’s other trade partners, Indian products will be fully competitive in New Zealand enjoying a level playing field, directly supporting workers, artisans, women entrepreneurs, youth, and MSMEs across India. Page 12 West Bengal: Campaigning ends for high-octane Phase 2 VIBHA SHARMA New Delhi, 27 April The intense campaigning for the second phase of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections ended on Monday, ushering in the mandatory silence period ahead of polling on 29 April. Attention has now shifted to whether voter turnout in this phase will match or exceed the record participation seen in Phase 1 on 23 April. With campaigning over, attention now turns to polling-day logistics, security arrangements, local dynamics, and weather conditions ~ all of which could influence the outcome. Whether the momentum from the first phase carries forward and shapes the trajectory of this closely contested election will become clearer when votes are counted on 4 May. A notable feature of these elections has also been that this was not a Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee versus Prime Minister Narendra Modi contest. Instead, the principal challenger for Banerjee in these elections was BJP’s chief strategist and Union home minister Amit Shah, camping in the state for days, orchestrating an extensive campaign. In those terms, the results on 4 May will be a verdict on Shah. On the final day, top leaders across parties, including the Prime Minister, Amit Shah, and Banerjee, made their last appeals through rallies, road shows, and canvassing. With campaigning now halted, the focus is now on the voter turnout, especially after the unusually high participation in the first phase of polling for the 294-member Assembly. Incidentally, the 93.2 per cent turnout recorded in Phase 1, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI), surprised political observers and energised political parties, each interpreting the figure to its advantage. Apparently, after the scrutiny of the first phase polling the voter turnout has increased further. The key question now is which political formation stands to benefit from this surge in participation, some analysts suggest that such a high turnout signals a decisive mandate, whether in favour of the ruling TMC or the BJP. BJP leaders, including Shah, cited the turnout figures to predict significant gains for the BJP. Shah argued that increased voter participation reflects anti-incumbency and public dissatisfaction with the state government, including concerns over illegal infiltration from neighbouring Bangladesh affecting the state’s social fabric and warned “TMC goons” to stay off the streets on 29 April ~ the polling day for The TMC, however, remains confident that the high turnout reflects continued support for its governance and welfare programmes. In their final appeals, party leaders urged voters to renew their mandate for Banerjee, who is seeking a fourth consecutive term. Meanwhile, Congress-Left alliances view the high turnout as evidence of a closely fought contest, particularly in constituencies expected to see narrow margins. Analysts say that higher participation can indicate a wave election, and may also reflect effective mobilisation by multiple parties. While West Bengal has historically delivered decisive verdicts, the current contest has additional uncertainty ~ the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls conducted by the ECI ~ in the run-up in the minds of voters, perhaps resulting in increased participation The TMC has raised concerns about alleged deletions from voter rolls, while election officials say that the routine revision was aimed at improving accuracy by removing duplicate/ineligible entries and adding new voters across communities.