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 Hard cash Page 6 Friday, 18 September 2026 SPORTS NATION EDITORIAL | SC seeks detailed report on 25 unnatural deaths in Manipur relief camps WORLD Mark Carney embraces EU associate membership proposal Page 4 Indian women begin title defence against hosts Japan Page 12 Page 9 Chandrasekaran reappointed Tata Sons head, Tata Trusts says illegal Modi responds to birthday wishes, pledges fresh push for ‘Viksit Bharat’ STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday thanked President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh for their birthday wishes, as he underlined his government’s stated emphasis on nation-building, citizen empowerment, self-reliance and the goal of a developed India. Prime Minister Modi, who turned 76 on Thursday, said in a post on social media platform X while responding to President Murmu that the country was moving forward with “new energy and greater speed” towards the construction of a progressive, prosperous, self-reliant and developed India. “Hon’ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji, thank you very much for your warm wishes,” Mr Modi said. He added that the country was New Delhi, 17 September A fresh leadership tussle has erupted at Tata Sons, with the Noel Tata-led Tata Trusts declaring a board resolution on N Chandrasekaran’s re-appointment as the group’s Executive Chairman a “legal nullity”. In a statement released shortly after the Tata Sons board adopted a resolution for the reappointment of Mr Chandrasekaran as Executive Chairman, Tata Trusts, which hold a majority stake in Tata Sons, said its Chairman, Noel Tata had voted against the resolution, making it “legally void” under the Articles of Association of Tata Sons. The statement reiterated Tata Trusts’ stance that Mr Chandrasekaran’s earlier decision not to seek re-appointment had already been accepted and had attained finality. “Once such a decision has been publicly communicated, it has consequences which cannot be afterwards undone, since the Group’s employees, its lenders and counterparties, the market and the majority shareholder have all proceeded on it,” Tata Trusts said. The statement said Tata Trusts “formally placed on record their acceptance of the decision the following day and advised Tata Sons to initiate the process for setting up a Selection Committee for appointing a successor, in accordance with the Articles of Association of Tata Sons”. “This position was reiterated in today’s board meeting by the Chairman, Tata Trusts. The resolution seeking to reappoint Mr N. Chandrasekaran in the Board meeting today, with four Directors voting in favour and Mr Noel Tata against, was a legal nullity in view of the provisions of the Articles of Association of Tata Sons,” the statement noted. It said that the board cannot lawfully hold a meeting or pass a resolution on the Chairman’s appointment or reappointment unless both nominee directors are present, and cannot validly pass such a resolution unless both nominee directors vote in favour. “Given that Mr Noel Tata, being one of the Trust nominee directors, voted against the proposal, it was rendered legally void and without any basis,” it added. Noel Tata also submitted a legal opinion obtained from former Chief Justice of India Justice DY Chandrachud regarding the “correctness” of the Trusts’ stand. Earlier in the day, the Tata Sons board voted to reappoint Mr Chandrasekeran as Executive Chairman for another five-year term after his existing term ends on 20 February 2027. The development comes just over a month after he informed the board that he would not seek another term. According to Tata Sons, the board had initially agreed in principle in September 2025 to reappoint Mr Chandrasekaran for another five years. However, when the formal resolution was taken up in February 2026, the board deferred the matter after failing to reach unanimity. Against this backdrop, Mr Chandrasekaran decided on 12 August not to offer himself for reappointment after his existing term expired. On 3 September, the Nomination and Remuneration Committee of Tata Sons met and agreed to ask Mr Chandrasekaran to reconsider his decision and recommend his reappointment. At today’s meeting of the Tata Sons board, Mr Chandrasekaran agreed to reconsider his decision following the board’s request. The board subsequently voted in favour of his reappointment. Tata Sons said the resolution was approved by a majority. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 17 September “continuously moving forward with new energy and greater speed” with the resolve to build a “progressive, prosperous, self-reliant and developed India”. Describing the President’s guidance and inspiration as invaluable in the journey of nation-building, Mr Modi said these strengthened efforts towards public service. He also emphasised the combination of public participation, India’s rich heritage and modern development in shaping the country’s future. Mr Modi added that the government was committed to taking India to “new heights” through the participation of citizens and by bringing together the country’s heritage and modern development. The Prime Minister’s replies came amid a stream of birthday greetings from political leaders and public figures on Thursday. His birthday messages have also been accompanied by references to his broader development agenda and his stated commitment to public service. • PM Modi@76: Page 5