www.thestatesman.com | FOLLOW US: India’s National Newspaper since 1818 @TheStatesmanLtd | Pages 12 Editorial @thestatesmanltd | ` 5.00 | People’s Parliament, Always in Session thestatesman1875 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR Perspective Fragile Furnaces Unfinished business of peace Page 6 | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | 03 May 2026 S P O RT S SRH eye sixth straight win as KKR seek revival Page 7 Page 12 BRIEFLY Prasoon Joshi appointed Prasar Bharati Chairman: New Delhi: Noted lyricist, writer and communications expert Prasoon Joshi was on Saturday named as the Chairman of Prasar Bharati, India’s public service broadcaster. Joshi is a distinguished creative professional with wide-ranging contributions across literature, advertising, cinema, and public communication. Known for his impactful writing and deep cultural sensibility, he has played a significant role in shaping contemporary Indian media narratives. His body of work spans acclaimed film lyrics, advertising campaigns, and socially resonant storytelling that connects with diverse audiences across the country. On Joshi’s appointment, Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “My heartfelt congratulations to Shri Prasoon Joshi ji on his appointment as Chairman of the Prasar Bharati Board. Strategy huddles, post-poll planning: Parties await D-Day VIBHA SHARMA New Delhi, 2 May W ith around 48 hours to go before counting begins on Monday, political parties across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry have shifted to behind-the-scenes strategising and huddles. As voters await clarity on the shape and colour of their next government, parties are holding last-minute meetings, training counting agents, and preparing for post-result scenarios. For instance, in Tamil Nadu, they are reportedly also reaching out to other parties. The counting of votes will begin on Monday morning. Postal ballots will be taken up first, followed by EVM votes. Results for all 234 seats in Tamil Nadu, 294 in West Bengal, 140 in Kerala, 126 in Assam, and 30 in Puducherry are expected to be declared by the end of the day. As the final hours tick down, the political atmosphere remains charged, especially in the high-stakes fight between the ruling TMC and main challenger BJP in West Bengal, with parties bracing for outcomes that could reshape regional power dynamics, perhaps also national politics. In Tamil Nadu, hectic political activity is said to be under way beneath the surface. The ruling DMK, led by Chief Minister M K Stalin is preparing for a potential challenge from actor Vijay’s newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which some exit polls have described as a possible “game changer.” Alongside public messaging, parties are engaged in internal discussions and pre-result huddles. BJP ally AIADMK and DMK partner Congress are said to have both sent signals to Vijay, who met all 234 TVK candidates to keep the flock together and discuss strategy, according to sources. TVK leaders struck a confident note with party candidates saying that Vijay had issued strict instructions to cadre and expressed confidence that the party would outperform expectations. Like the ruling DMK, the AIADMK also exuded optimism, claiming it would secure a decisive mandate. Mr Stalin has been holding meetings both to review counting-day arrangements as well as future strategy, sources say. At the centre of the action this election season, however, is West Bengal ~ where the atmosphere is supercharged as CM Mamata Banerjee seeks a fourth consecutive term in a closely contested battle against the BJP. With pollsters offering mixed assessments (some even refraining from sticking their neck out), tensions have only escalated. Allegations have been raised over the security of strongrooms where EVMs are stored. The ruling TMC has flagged possible irregularities, which the opposition BJP and the Election Commission of India (ECI) have rejected, asserting total fairness in procedures. We will win, Mamata says, asks party agents to be extra vigilant IN THEIR VIRTUAL PEP TALK, MISS BANERJEE AND ABHISHEK BANERJEE EMPHASISED THE NEED FOR AGENTS TO STAY ALERT, ACT SWIFTLY, AND RESPOND TO DEVELOPMENTS AS THEY UNFOLD. MISS BANERJEE PRAISED THE AGENTS’ DEDICATION DURING THE POLLS, DESPITE FACING “EXTREME BRUTALITY.” STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 2 May Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday exuded confidence that the Trinamul C o n g res s will eme rg e victorious in the ongoing assembly elections, as she and party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee sought to galvanise party counting agents ahead of the crucial counting day on 4 May. Addressing the counting agents via video conferencing, Miss Banerjee dismissed the exit poll projections, several of which gave an edge to the BJP in Bengal, and characterised them as an attempt to “manipulate the stock market.” “ We are wi nning and winning by 200+ seats. Exit polls are nothing but an attempt to manipulate the stock market. They did in 2021, 2024, and now,” she said. In their virtual pep talk, Chief Minister Mamata Banerje e and Abhishek Banerjee emphasised the need for agents to stay alert, act swiftly, and respond to developments as they unfold. Miss Banerjee praised the agents’ dedication during the polls, despite facing “extreme brutality.” She urged them to maintain the same zeal during counting:“You gave your best during the polls, fighting tooth and nail despite hardships. Remember, we are going to retain power with more than 200 seats. Do not leave your seat, even if it is 2 a.m., until I give instructions. Keep a close watch on marginal seats where the difference could be 200–300 votes. In such cases, demand re-polls.” Govt tests nationwide Cell Broadcast System; mobile phones buzz with alert messages STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 2 May Many citizens across India were caught off guard on Saturday as their mobile phones buzzed simultaneously with emergency alerts. The government, however, clarified that there was no cause for concern, stating that the messages were part of a “Pan-India Testing of Indigenous Cell Broadcast System” aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness. In a statement, the Ministry of Communications said that test alerts in English, Hindi, and regional languages may be received on mobile devices, advising recipients not to take any action during the testing phase. According to the government, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), is working to enhance mobile-based disaster communication systems to ensure timely dissemination of critical information to citizens. As part of the nationwide rollout of the Cell Broadcast (CB) facility, testing and trials are currently underway to assess the system’s performance and reliability before its formal launch. The technology enables alerts to be transmitted simultaneously to all mobile devices within a specific geographic area, ensuring near real-time delivery. The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) has been entrusted with the indigenous development and implementation of the system. The government also noted that the NDMA has operationalised the Integrated Alert System, known as SACHET, developed by C-DOT. The platform is based on the Common Alerting Protocol recommended by the International Telecommunication Union. Currently operational across all 36 States and Union Territories, the system has been widely used to send disaster and emergency alerts via SMS to users in geo-targeted areas. Authorities stated that over 134 billion alert messages have been disseminated in more than 19 languages during natural disasters, weather warnings, and cyclonic events. To further strengthen communication during time-critical emergencies such as earthquakes, tsunamis, lightning strikes, and industrial hazards, Cell Broadcast technology is being deployed alongside SMS alerts. During the testing phase, users may receive multiple messages as part of efforts to ensure seamless functioning across mobile network infrastructure. Lauding party cadres and activists, she added: “Those who worked tirelessly and selflessly, even in the face of police brutality, will be rewarded.” She also advised counting agents to bring m e a l s f ro m t h e i r own h ouseh olds and avoid accepting food from others. Abhishek Banerjee echoed her sentiments, telling agents to ignore exit poll predictions. “It is a ploy the BJP resorts to after every election to demoralise the opposition. This trend has been observed for the last 10–12 years. The brutality of Central forces will continue until 4 May, but do not be thwarted by their actions. Counting agents must remain at the centres until the end, until certificates are issued.” The Trinamul Congress, meanwhile, deputed former DG and current Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Kumar as one of the party’s counting observers for the Barrackpore-Dumdum Assembly constituencies. ECI bolsters arrangements ahead of Bengal vote counting STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 2 May The Election Commission of India has stepped up preparations for the counting of votes in the West Bengal Assembly elections, deploying a significant number of additional observers to ensure the process remains free, fair, and transparent on Monday, 4 May. In a press note issued on Saturday,theElectionCommission said it has appointed 165 Additional Counting Observers to support the existing Counting Observers, along with 77 Police Observers tasked with overseeing security and maintaining law and order around counting centres. The ECI said the Additional Counting Observers have been deployed across 165 Assembly constituencies where more than one counting hall has been set up, necessitating closer supervision. Police Observers will monitor security arrangements outside counting venues and ensure adherence to the Commission’s SC declines to pass order on vote counting staff; ECI rules to stand New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Saturday refused to pass any order on a plea of the Trinamul Congress challenging the Election Commission of India's (ECI) decision to deploy Central government and Central public sector employees during the counting of votes for the Bengal assembly elections. The Trinamul Congress had earlier challenged the ECI’s decision in Calcutta High Court, but the court said that the ECI had jurisdiction to appoint counting personnel. After hearing arguments, a Supreme Court bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Jaymalya Bagchi stated that no order was necessary in this matter, but recorded the submission of the ECI that its 13 April circular would be implemented in full. The Court noted that this includes the deployment of state government employees along with Central government and PSU personnel in the vote counting process, as claimed by the TMC. guidelines, though they will not be permitted to enter counting halls on the day of counting. The Commission said entry to counting centres will be allowed only through QR code-based photo identity cards issued by Returning Officers via the ECINet system. It also said that mobile phones will not be allowed inside counting EAM S Jaishankar to embark on three-nation tour of North America halls except for use by the Counting Observer and the Returning Officer. The ECI said Form 17C-II, which captures results from electronic voting machines, will be prepared by Counting Supervisors in the presence of counting agents and shared with them for signatures, with the process repeatable if demanded. Delhi judge found dead at home, suicide suspected AGENCIES New Delhi, 2 May STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 2 May External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will pay an official visit to Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago from 2 to 10 May, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Saturday. These countries share a special connection with India owing to the presence of Girmitiya communities. During the visit, Mr Jaishankar will meet with the leadership of the three countries and hold discussions with his counterparts covering the entire gamut of bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest. The visit is envisaged to continue the momentum of India’s political engagements with Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago and boost India’s longstanding and friendly relations with these countries, reflecting mutual commitment to South-South cooperation and development. Mr Jaishankar is also expected to have bilateral engagements and interactions with prominent leaders of businesses and members of the Indian community in these countries. A 30-year-old judge was found dead at his residence in South Delhi’s Safdarjung, with police suspecting suicide. The deceased has been identified as Aman Kumar Sharma, who was the secretary of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) in North-East Delhi at Karkardooma Court. Sharma was found hanging from a ceiling fan and his brother-in-law informed the police. Police teams reached the residence, where Sharma was found inside the bathroom. He was taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Initial information suggests that Sharma died by suicide. Police said no signs of foul play have emerged so far, though all angles are being examined. After man takes sister’s skeleton to bank, Naveen Patnaik seeks humane banking in tribal areas STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Bhubaneswar, 2 May Expressing deep anguish over the shocking incident in which a tribal man carried his sister’s skeletal remains to a bank to prove her death and access her bank funds, Leader of the Opposition in the Odisha Assembly, Naveen Patnaik on Saturday urged Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to ensure a more humane banking system, particularly in remote tribal regions. In a letter written to the Union Finance Minister, Patnaik referred to the 27 April incident at a branch of Odisha Gramya Bank in Keonjhar district, where Jitu Munda reportedly exhumed his sister’s remains after repeated failed attempts to access her bank account for withdrawal of funds. The incident has sparked widespread outrage across Odisha and drawn international attention, noted Mr Patnaik. The incident though isolated gives us an insight to put in place a more humane banking administration especially in remote tribal areas, he said. Calling the episode “deeply disturbing,” Mr Patnaik said it exposes the urgent need for citizen-centric and compassionate banking services in rural and tribal areas. He also criticised the bank’s reported attempt to justify its actions by citing adherence to RBI guidelines. “Rules are meant to empower citizens, not humiliate them,” Mr Patnaik said, urging immediate accountability for the lapse. He further called for systemic reforms to prevent such incidents and ensure empathetic service delivery across rural banking institutions.