www.thestatesman.com | FOLLOW US: India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | @TheStatesmanLtd Pages 16 | 8th Day @thestatesmanltd ` 5.00 | People’s Parliament, Always in Session thestatesman1875 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | BHUBANESWAR | MUMBAI | Evolve | SILIGURI | 15 February 2026 S P O RT S Day of love: A family story Legends of the Lord on Maha Shiv Ratri LUCKNOW Abhishek set to return to action against Pakistan, confirms SKY Page 16 BRIEFLY One dead, three injured as Metro pillar collapses in Mulund: Mumbai: One person has died, and three are left injured after a portion of a cement metro pillar collapsed during the construction work and fell on an auto-rickshaw near the Johnson & Johnson Company in Mulund, Maharashtra. The deceased has been identified as Ramdhan Yadav, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said. Other injured individuals have been identified as Rajkumar Indrajeet Yadav (45), who is in a critical condition, Mahendra Pratap Yadav (52), and Deepa Ruhiya (40), who are in stable conditions. Congress 'neglected' NE, ‘destabilised’ Assam: PM STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 14 February P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a blistering attack on the Congress, accusing the opposition party of “neglecting” the North-East and attempting to destabilise Assam by promoting insurgency for political gains. Addressing a rally in the poll-bound state, PM Modi alleged that while the Congress treated the North-East as a burden, the BJP considers the region as ‘Ashtalakshmi’. Congress leaders have “lost their sleep” due to his growing popularity and the BJP’s expanding support base in Assam, he said in the rally in Guwahati. He also warned voters that the Congress, “desperate after being out of power for 10 years, wants to push Assam back into instability”. The Congress is “more dangerous out of power than when it was in power, and this is evident from the venomous statements made by its leaders,” he said. The next five years are crucial, and only a strong double-engine BJP government can ensure fast-paced development for Assam, the PM said. “The Congress indulged in polarisation and votebank politics, and took decisions that promoted these,” he said, accusing the principal opposition party in Assam of protecting infiltrators. The BJP is “committed to ending illegal immigration, and therefore the next five years are very important for the state”, he said. The Prime Minister inaugurated several projects in Assam, including a bridge over the Brahmaputra River. Rolled out ahead of the Assam Assembly elections, the projects aim to boost connectivity, strengthen digital infrastructure, promote higher education and enhance public transport. Pannun assassination plot: Indian national faces 40 years in US jail UNITED NEWS OF INDIA New York, 14 February Indian national Nikhil Gupta, who pled guilty in a Manhattan court to an alleged plot to assassinate Sikh separatist leader and American citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, faces 40 years in jail. However, the US government has recommended a sentence of 21 to 24 years. The formal sentencing of Gupta (54), is scheduled for 29 May 2026, before US District Judge Victor Marrero. Earlier, Gupta admitted to murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has described Pannun, who is designated as a terrorist by India, as “a target of transnational repression”. The FBI said the murder plot was prevented thanks to the actions of US law enforcement. “The US citizen became a target of transnational repression solely for exercising their freedom of speech,” the FBI claimed, referring to Pannun. “The message from the FBI should be clear ~ no matter where you are located if you try to harm our citizens we will not stop until you are brought to justice,” it added. Prosecutors allege Gupta was directed by an Indian government official to carry out the plot. India has denied having anything to do with the alleged plot to kill Pannun. “Nikhil Gupta plotted to assassinate a US citizen in New York City,” said US Attorney Jay Clayton. "He thought that from outside this country he could kill someone in it without consequence, simply for exercising their American right to free speech. But he was wrong, and he will face justice.” Pannun told the BBC in a statement that “Nikhil Gupta's guilty plea is judicial confirmation that India's Modi Government orchestrated a structured murderfor-hire assassination plot on American soil.” PM inaugurates `3,000-cr bridge, IIM Guwahati and key projects: Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated several infrastructure projects in Assam, including a bridge over the Brahmaputra, the Indian Institute of Management, Guwahati and a National Data Centre. He also inaugurated north-east India’s first highway-based emergency landing facility, flying in on an IAF aircraft that landed on the DibrugarhMoran Highway 2. Page 4 ‘Dhaka’s foreign policy will prioritise national interest, people’s welfare’ UNITED NEWS OF INDIA Dhaka, 14 February Bangladesh's incoming Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman, on Saturday said that his government’s foreign policy, including in dealings with India, will prioritise the nation's interests and the people’s welfare, stating “people come first.” Speaking at a news conference here at a hotel, Mr Rahman, the chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, set out an ambitious agenda in his first public remarks since his party's landslide victory in elections held earlier this week. He described the challenges ahead as "very serious," pointing to inflation which has been above 8 per cent for several months, weak growth with GDP expected to expand by a lowly 4 per cent, and eroded public trust in state institutions. “We have very serious challenges to face…tackle the economy of the country, (and) to ensure good governance,” he said. His party won some 213 seats in an election, to a Parliament with 300 seats, which saw lower-than-usual voting, after a boycott call by the Awami League which had been banned from fielding candidates for the elections and fears of violence during the polls. Mr Rahman said his administration would pursue a foreign policy rooted in national interest, particularly in its dealings with China, India and Pakistan. “We will try to protect the interests of the people of Bangladesh,” he said. “If something is not in Bangladesh’s interest, naturally we cannot pursue it. I am certain that mutual interests will be our first priority.” On the Belt and Road Initiative, he added: “If it benefits Bangladesh and supports the economy, we will make a decision.” The yet-to-be-sworn-in Prime Minister also expressed support for reviving the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, known as SAARC, which was founded at Bangladesh’s initiative but has remained largely dormant amid regional tensions. Asked whether his government would seek the extradition of former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, from India, Mr Rahman said that issue would depend on legal procedures. In his remarks, Mr Rahman cast the election as a turning point after more than a decade and a half of what he described as authoritarian rule. “This victory belongs to Bangladesh. This victory belongs to democracy,” he said. “From today, we are all free, with the true essence of freedom and rights restored.” Cabinet approves `1 lakh cr urban challenge fund STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 14 February The Union Cabinet has approved the launch of the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) with a total Central Assistance (CA) of Rs 1 lakh crore, marking what the government described as a paradigm shift in India’s urban development strategy. Briefing reporters on Saturday about decisions taken at Friday’s Cabinet meeting, union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw said the new fund would transform the way cities are financed and developed. “The Urban Challenge Fund will move urban development from a grant-based model to a market-linked, reform-driven and outcome-oriented approach. With Rs 1 lakh crore in Central Assistance and mandatory market mobilisation, this initiative will lead to a total investment of about Rs 4 lakh crore in the urban sector over the next five years,” Vaishnaw said. Under the framework, the Centre will provide up to 25 per cent of project costs as assistance, provided that at least 50 per cent of the funding is raised through market sources such as municipal bonds, bank loans and Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs). The remaining share can be contributed by states, union Territories and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). The Fund will be operational from FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31, with an extendable implementation period up to FY 2033–34. It implements the government’s Budget 2025–26 vision covering “Cities as Growth Hubs,” “Creative Redevelopment of Cities,” and “Water and Sanitation.” Projects will be selected through a transparent challenge-based mechanism, with funding tied to reforms, milestones and clearly defined outcomes. Continuation of reforms will be mandatory for subsequent fund releases. Monitoring will be conducted through a unified digital portal of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. A dedicated Rs 5,000 crore corpus has been approved to enhance the creditworthiness of 4,223 cities, including Tier-II and Tier-III cities, positioning ULBs as a “bankable asset class.” In addition, a Rs 5,000 crore Credit Repayment Guarantee Scheme will support firsttime market borrowing by cities in Northeastern and hilly states, as well as smaller ULBs (population below one lakh) elsewhere. Defending champs India look to extend dominance over unpredictable Pakistan Today’s Matches West Indies v Nepal USA v Namibia India v Pakistan TRIDIB BAPARNASH New Delhi, 14 February The build-up has been dramatic, the anticipation relentless. After weeks of uncertainty triggered by off-field theatrics in Pakistan, the marquee clash of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 is finally upon us as arch-rivals India and Pakistan prepare to face off at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday. With a looming threat of rain and global eyeballs locked in, this promises to be the most watched group-stage encounter of the tournament. Both sides enter the contest with four points from two matches, having defeated Associate opponents. However, defending champions India sit atop Group A courtesy of a vastly superior net run rate of 3.050 compared to Pakistan’s 0.932. The numbers reflect not just the results, but differing levels of dominance. Historically, India have held the upper hand in T20 World Cups, winning seven of the eight meetings between the two sides. Pakistan’s lone victory came in 2021, but overall the headto-head narrative heavily favours the Men in Blue. India’s momentum: India arrive in Colombo brimming with confidence. A 29-run win over the USA in their campaign opener in Mumbai, powered by a Suryakumar Yadav masterclass, was followed by a crushing 93-run victory against Namibia. In that match, Ishan Kishan’s 61 helped India rack up 86 runs in the Powerplay, the highest six-over total of this edition. The likely return of Abhishek Sharma, who has recovered from a stomach illness, further strengthens the top order. His exploits in last year’s Asia Cup remain fresh in Pakistani minds, and his aggressive intent from ball one adds a dangerous edge to India’s batting line-up. Even in Abhishek’s absence against Namibia, Sanju Samson showcased the depth in India’s resources, smashing 22 off eight balls to set the tone early. Alongside Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav, India’s top order has consistently maximised the Powerplay, often dictating games inside the first six overs. The Indian team management’s emphasis on role clarity in the lead-up to the marquee tournament appears to have paid off. Abhishek, Ishan, Suryakumar, Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh have clearly defined responsibilities, enabling them to adapt swiftly to match situations while maintaining an aggressive scoring approach. Pakistan’s balancing act: Pakistan, meanwhile, have had less convincing wins. They scraped past the Netherlands, requiring a late blitz from Faheem Ashraf to seal victory with just three balls remaining. Against the USA too, their innings lacked early fluency, with Babar Azam once again starting cautiously. A structural issue persists in Pakistan’s batting unit. Several natural openers are currently operating in middle-order roles, which has affected rhythm and strike rotation. Babar, Fakhar Zaman and Usman Khan have all found it difficult to maintain tempo consistently. For Pakistan to challenge India, much will depend on the explosive Sahibzada Farhan. Over the past six months, he has been their most consistent performer and notably took on Jasprit Bumrah during the 2025 Asia Cup Powerplay, a rare feat. He has looked assured in this World Cup as well and could be pivotal in countering India’s new-ball threat. Pace battle: Pakistan’s solitary T20 World Cup win over India in 2021 was shaped decisively by Shaheen Shah Afridi. His early strikes removed KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma, and later Virat Kohli, dismantling India’s top order. While Babar and Mohammad Rizwan completed a dominant chase, Shaheen’s new-ball burst had effectively sealed the contest. Five years on, however, Shaheen’s impact appears less pronounced. The late swing and pinpoint yorkers that once defined his spells have not been as consistent, allowing batters more freedom to line him up. In contrast, India’s pace unit looks formidable. Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh are operating at peak rhythm, offering control, movement and death-over precision. On current form, India appear to hold the edge in the seam department. Spin showdown: Spin could also prove decisive. On a man-for-man comparison, India’s attack looks more rounded with India’s trio of Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav expected to match up strongly against Shadab Khan, Usman Tariq and Abrar Ahmed. Tariq, with only four T20Is to his name, remains something of an X-factor. While questions have been raised about his unorthodox action, facing a mystery spinner for the first time in a high-pressure India-Pakistan game is rarely straightforward. If he finds rhythm, he could tilt momentum briefly. On paper and on form, India enter as favourites, backed by superior net run rate, recent performances and greater balance across departments. Pakistan, however, remain unpredictable and capable of sudden surges. In a rivalry where momentum can swing dramatically within a single over, reputations count for little once the contest begins. And in a game of this magnitude, one bad phase can instantly flip the script. Weather concerns: One day out of the match, the Sri Lanka Department of Meteorology has warned of a low-pressure system developing in the Bay of Bengal, which indicates a high risk of rain that could disrupt the marquee World Cup game. According to weather forecasts, there is a 65 per cent chance of rain during the day, with heavy clouds and scattered thunderstorms expected during the daytime. Around match time, which is 7:00 PM IST, some reports say that the rain chance could still be 49-65 per cent, and at night, the chances drop to about 25 per cent. Like most international venues, the Premadasa Stadium features a sophisticated drainage system and specialised ground staff protocols designed to handle Colombo's tropical downpours. However, in order to get a result in a T20 game, at least a 5-over-per-side game must be completed. If that minimum requirement is not met, the match will be abandoned, and both sides will share points. There is no reserve day for this match.