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 | PERSPECTIVE When justice becomes a mirage Kiren Rijiju slams Oppn, invokes Emergency to defend institutions Page 6 VIBHA SHAMA New Delhi, 3 May T addressed local grievances and retained voter trust. In West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is seeking a fourth consecutive term, facing her most direct ideological contest against the BJP after a highly charged campaign. The BJP’s top leadership campaigned aggressively, with Home Minister Amit Shah treating it as a personal challenge. The spotlight is also on Suvendu Adhikari, who defeated Miss Banerjee in Nandigram, in the 2021 Assembly elections. The key questions here are: Can the BJP translate its Page 12 Page 7 Counting day: BJP’s expansion plans face their biggest test he 4 May counting day is not just about who forms governments in four states and one Union territory ~ Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry ~ it is also a major test of whether the BJP can fulfil its ambition of expanding into political spaces where it has historically struggled. The outcomes on Monday will carry significant implications, both nationally and within the respective states, particularly in determining whether entrenched regional leaders, local alliances, and state-specific issues have managed to hold their ground. In that sense, these elections represent a set of overlapping narratives. On one hand, they test the BJP’s ability to expand into eastern and southern strongholds such as West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. On the other, they examine whether regional leaders have Monday, 04 May 2026 Raghuvanshi, Varun power KKR to victory King’s speech Page 5 | SPORTS EDITORIAL NATION SILIGURI ambitions into reality by forming a government after emerging as the principal opposition? Can the Trinamul Congress overcome 15 years of anti-incumbency and return to power on the strength of welfare schemes and grassroots support? Whether the BJP has been able to replicate a Bihar-like strategy by consolidating women voters remains another key question. In Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin is aiming for a second term in a contest that remains rooted in the state’s Dravidian political framework, now with the addition of a third dimension ~ actor Vijay’s TVK. While the AIADMK, led by Edappadi K. Palaniswami, is the principal challenger, the BJP is playing a supporting yet increasingly assertive role. Vijay’s entry has added a layer of unpredictability. Will voters stick to the familiar duopoly centred on regional identity politics, or give Vijay a chance ~ much like they did when megastar M.G. Ramachandran floated the AIADMK? In Kerala, CM Pinarayi Vijayan is attempting a rare third consecutive term, challenging the state’s tradition of alternating governments. The main contest is with the Congress-led UDF. In Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma is seeking a second term, with the BJP entering from a position of strength. The Congress remains the principal opposition. The key question is whether Gaurav Gogoi has succeeded in helping the Congress revive its fortunes, or whether the BJP will secure a third consecutive term. Stage set for counting in high-stakes Bengal battle STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 3 May The stage is set for Bengal’s high-stakes Assembly election results, with counting of votes scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. on Monday. Trends are expected to emerge by afternoon, while final results are likely by evening. Postal ballots will be counted first, followed by votes cast on EVMs. The election, held in two phases on 23 and 29 April, recorded an unprecedented turnout of over 92 per cent ~ the highest in India since the first general election in 1951–52. Counting will take place for 293 of the state’s 294 seats, as the Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered re-polling in all booths of Falta in South 24 Parganas on 21 May. The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamul Congress, ruling for the last 15 years is facing a strong challenge from the Bharatiya Janata Party, with many exit polls projecting an edge for the latter. In Kolkata, votes will be tallied across five centres covering 11 Assembly constituencies: Shakhawat Memorial School, Ballygunge Government High School, Baba Saheb Ambedkar Education University, Netaji Indoor Stadium, and St. Thomas Boys’ School. National attention is focused on the Bhowanipore seat, where Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee faces the leader of the Opposition in the outgoing Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP, once again. Mr Adhikari defeated her in Nandigram in 2021 by fewer than 2,000 votes, after which Miss Banerjee returned to the Assembly through a by-election in Bhowanipore. Miss Banerjee held a meeting with party councillors from Bhowanipore, along with counting agents and ward presidents. She instructed agents not to leave the centres until she addressed the Press, warning that counting could continue until midnight. Miss Banerjee cautioned that candidates winning by slender margins might be shown as defeated through manipulation of counting sheets, urging agents to raise objections if discrepancies arise. She also asked them to protest if there were signs of EVM tampering. The Trinamul Congress has replaced 74 sitting MLAs this time ~ an unprecedented move. In Kolkata, two sitting MLAs have been dropped: Shreya Pandey is contesting from Manicktala, while Kunal Ghosh is fielded in Beliaghata. In Chuchura, Asit Majumdar has been replaced by Debangshu Bhattacharya. The CPI-M has fielded Minakshi Mukherjee in Uttarpara, where a tough contest with TMC’s Sirshanya Banerjee is expected. Other CPI-M candidates include Bikas Bhattacharya in Jadavpur, Dipshikha Dhar in North Dum Dum, Manas Mukherjee in Kamarhati, and Kalatan Dasgupta in Panihati. The BJP has nominated Ratna Debnath, mother of the doctor who was raped and murdered in Panihati. TMC has replaced sitting MLA Nirmal Ghosh with his son Tirthankar. The BJP has also fielded two journalists~ Swapan Dasgupta in Rashbehari and Santu Pan in Tarakeshwar. Congress has put forward, among others, Adhir Chowdhury and Mausam Noor, while the ISF has nominated Nausad Siddiqui. Unprecedented security arrangements have been made around the counting centres, with paramilitary forces deployed. Counting agents have been instructed to arrive by 5 a.m. to ensure smooth proceedings. LPG carrier crosses Hormuz safely, Centre assures adequate fuel supply amid West Asia tensions THE DEVELOPMENT COMES AMID CONTINUING CONCERNS OVER DISRUPTIONS IN ENERGY SUPPLIES DUE TO THE GEOPOLITICAL SITUATION IN WEST ASIA. THE CENTRE, MEANWHILE, REITERATED THAT ADEQUATE STOCKS OF PETROL, DIESEL AND LPG ARE AVAILABLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY. IN AN UPDATE ISSUED ON SUNDAY, THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS SAID DOMESTIC LPG SUPPLY CONTINUES TO REMAIN A PRIORITY DESPITE CHALLENGES ARISING FROM THE REGIONAL CRISIS. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 3 May Marshall Islands-flagged LPG carrier MT Sarv Shakti, carrying 46,313 metric tonnes of LPG meant for India, safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz on 2 May and is expected to reach Visakhapatnam on 13 May. The vessel has 20 crew members onboard, including 18 Indians. The development comes amid continuing concerns over disruptions in energy supplies due to the crisis in West Asia. The ship, carrying over 45,000 tonnes of LPG, was earlier tracked moving into the Gulf of Oman after passing near Iran’s Larak and Qeshm islands on Saturday. Sarv Shakti, a very large gas carrier, Iran proposes an end to war within 30 days as Trump expresses doubts AGENCIES Dubai, 3 May Iran’s latest proposal to the United States calls for issues between the countries to be resolved within 30 days and aims to end the war rather than extend the ceasefire, according to Iran’s state-linked media. President Donald Trump on Saturday said he was reviewing a new Iranian proposal but expressed doubt it would lead to a deal, adding on social media that “they have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to Humanity, and the World, over the last 47 years” since the Islamic Revolution there. Iran’s 14-point proposal, a rebuttal to a US nine-point plan, also calls for the US lifting sanctions on Iran, ending the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports, withdrawing forces from the region and ceasing all hostilities, including Israel’s operations in Lebanon, according to the semiofficial Nour News and Tasnim agencies, which have close ties to Iran’s security organisations. There was no mention in those reports, however, of Iran’s nuclear program and its enriched uranium, long the central issue in tensions with the US and one that Tehran would rather address later. Pakistan’s prime minister, foreign minister and army chief continue to push negotiations and encourage the US and Iran to speak directly, according to two officials in Pakistan who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media. • Details: Page 9 has previously operated on routes between the Persian Gulf and Indian ports. It was broadcasting its Indian destination and crew details, a safety protocol widely adopted by vessels navigating the region since the outbreak of conflict. This is the first known passage by an India-linked tanker since a US-led blockade targeting ships associated with Iran began weeks ago. The Centre, meanwhile, reiterate that adequate stocks of petrol, diesel and LPG are available across the country. In an update issued on Sunday, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said domestic LPG supply continues to remain a priority despite challenges arising from the regional crisis. To support migrant workers and other vulnerable groups, PSU oil marketing companies have ramped up the supply of 5-kg free trade LPG cylinders. The Centre said it has ensured full supply of domestic LPG, domestic PNG, and CNG for transport use, while commercial LPG supply has been restored to nearly 70 per cent of pre-crisis levels. Strategic Presence The Indian Army contingent before departure for the second edition of the India-Cambodia bilateral military exercise ‘CINBAX-II’, scheduled to be held in Kampong Speu province, Cambodia from 4 to 17 May 2026, on Sunday. AGENCIES GalaxEye launches world’s first OptoSAR satellite Mission Drishti on SpaceX rocket STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Chennai, 3 May GalaxEye, a IIT Madras-incubated Space-Tech startup based in Bengaluru, on Sunday announced the successful launch of Mission Drishti, the world’s first OptoSAR satellite, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of Earth observation technologies and reinforcing India’s growing capabilities in the global space sector. The satellite was launched aboard a Falcon 9 by SpaceX from Vandenberg, California, in the USA. Weighing 190 kg, Mission Drishti is India’s largest privately developed Earth observation satellite and was the first satellite globally to integrate Electro-Optical (EO) and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors into a single operational platform, enabling all-weather, day-and-night imaging capabilities. This integrated approach addresses long-standing limitations of conventional systems and enables more reliable and consistent data acquisition across diverse environmental conditions, GalaxEye said after the successful mission. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated GalaxEye on the successful launch of its flagship satellite “Mission Drishti,” describing it as a significant step forward in India’s expanding space capabilities and a reflection of youthful innovation. In a post on X, Mr Modi said: “Mission Drishti by GalaxEye marks a major achievement in our space journey. The successful launch of the world’s first OptoSAR satellite and the largest privately-built satellite in India is a testament to our youth’s passion for innovation and nation-building.” “Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to the founders and the entire team of GalaxEye”, the Prime Minister said. Responding to Mr Modi's tweet, GalaxEye Founder and CEO Suyash Singh said: “Thank you so much Honb'l PM Shree @narendramodi. Thank you so much for helping us see the dreams and extending all the support. We will not stop till we put 100s of Satellites in space and make India proud." GalaxEye said Mission Drishti is the result of over five years of sustained, indigenous research and development, reflecting a broader shift in India’s space ecosystem toward innovation-led, IP-driven technological advancement. Prior to launch, Mission Drishti underwent extensive environmental testing and performance validation to ensure operational readiness. This was also enabled by strong support from IN-SPACe, providing access to testing infrastructure and relevant authorizations. "Mission Drishti marks our first mission and the culmination of over five years of sustained Rand D to develop this breakthrough technology. With the satellite now successfully in orbit, our immediate focus is on completing its commissioning. As we move through this phase, we are already witnessing strong global interest in the differentiated datasets enabled by our OptoSAR payload", Suyash Singh, Founder and CEO, GalaxEye, said. Following its successful deployment and commissioning, initial imagery is expected to be delivered to customers in the coming weeks. The satellite has already generated significant interest from government and commercial stakeholders internationally, seeking access to high-quality, high-frequency Earth observation data. GalaxEye, founded in 2021 by five alumni of IIT Madras, recently announced a landmark partnership with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), for the global distribution of its satellite imagery.