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 IMRAN MOJIB/VIBHA SHARMA Patna/New Delhi, 5 March Amid political upheavals in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha elections on Thursday. Along with him, four other candidates of the ruling alliance filed their nominations. BJP National President Nitin Nabin, BJP leader Shivesh Kumar, Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) President Upendra Kushwaha, and JD(U) leader Ramnath Thakur, son of Karpoori Thakur, submitted their nominations to the Election Commission. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and several senior leaders of the alliance were present on the occasion. Nitish Kumar’s decision to move to the Rajya Sabha has created a major stir in Bihar’s politics. Earlier, there was speculation that his son Nishant might be nominated for the seat. However, as he has often done in the past, Mr Kumar surprised both party members and the people of Bihar by announcing that he himself would go to the Rajya Sabha. In a post on X earlier in the day, Mr Kumar announced that he was stepping down to enter the Rajya Sabha. In the post, the Chief Minister said he had long wished to serve in both Houses of Parliament as well as in both Houses of the state legislature Mr Kumar has already been a Lok Sabha member, an MLA and an MLC. Political observers say there is a calculated political consideration behind Mr Kumar’s “graceful exit” engineered by the BJP, the JD-U’s ally in the NDA, one that would mark the end of an era in Bihar politics and also signal a major shift for his own party. Page 05 Friday, 06 March 2026 We got a proper snotklap: Conrad after NZ ended SA’s dream run in T20 WC Page 7 Page 12 PERSPECTIVE Page 9 Nitish to quit as Bihar CM, to move to Rajya Sabha | Connect, don’t confiscate for children’s digital safety China to boost military spending by 7 per cent Reset in ties Page 6 SILIGURI SPORTS WORLD EDITORIAL | Military conflict cannot resolve disputes: PM ASHOK TUTEJA New Delhi, 5 March O bserving that military conflict can’t resolve any issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India and Finland have agreed to continue supporting any effort aimed at an early cessation of hostilities and restoration of peace in Ukraine and West Asia. “Both India and Finland believe in the rule of law, dialogue and diplomacy. We also agree that the reform of global institutions is not only essential but urgent to tackle increasing global challenges,” he said at a media interaction with visiting Finland President Alexander Stubb after talks between them. The two countries agreed to elevate bilateral ties to “Strategic Partnership in Digitalisation and Sustainability” and signed three pacts, including one on migration and mobility partnership. Noting that the world is passing through a period of instability and uncertainty, Modi said there is war going on from Ukraine to West Asia. “In this kind of global environment, the relations between India and Europe ~ two major global diplomatic powers ~ are entering a golden era,” he said and referred to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) reached between the two sides earlier this year. The PM said the two countries are opposed to terrorism in any form and are committed to uprooting the menace. He said the increasing cooperation between India and Europe is strengthening global stability, growth and mutual prosperity. “This agreement,” he said, “will also enhance trade, investment and technology cooperation between India and Finland.” The PM also spoke highly about the cooperation between India and Finland so far and referred to the presence of Nokia in India. He noted that architects from Finland helped India make the world’s highest railway bridge on river Chenab. “Today on President Stubb’s visit to India, we are elevating India-Finland relations to a strategic partnership in digitalisation and sustainability… this partnership will give an impetus to our cooperation in hi-tech areas ranging from from AI to 6G telecom, from clean energy to quantum.” • West Asia belligerents launch new wave of attacks as conflict escalates: Page 11 India survive Bethell storm, set up T20 WC final with New Zealand TRIDIB BAPARNASH Mumbai, 5 March Earlier this year in a bilateral series, Jofra Archer had dismissed Sanju Samson three times in just 23 balls across five innings. The pattern nearly repeated itself on Thursday in the second semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium when England quick induced another chance, only for skipper Harry Brook to spill it. Samson made the reprieve count, punishing England for the next 10 overs, before Jacob Bethell nearly turned the tables with a breath-taking century that threatened a stunning late heist. In the end the defending champions held their nerve to secure a narrow seven-run victory and set up a title clash with New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Batting on a placid surface at the Wankhede, Samson picked up from where he had left off at Eden Gardens and led the batting onslaught, with the middle order ~ Ishan Kishan (39 off 18), Shivam Dube (43 off 25), Hardik Pandya (27 off 12) and Tilak Varma (21 off 7) ~ joining a six-hitting spree to propel India to 253/7. In reply, England rode a sparkling century from young Jacob Bethell (105 off 48 balls) to come agonisingly close to the fourth-highest total in T20 World Cup history before falling short. The visitors began shakily, losing Phil Salt (5), Harry Brook (7) and Jos Buttler (25) inside the powerplay before Bethell paired with Tom Banton in a 31-run fourth-wicket stand to steady the innings. He was joined in a 77-run partnership by Will Jacks (35 off 20). It took a special effort in the field from Axar to dismiss Jacks and pull India back into the contest. Needing 82 off the last six overs, Bethell kept England’s hopes alive, bringing up a 45-ball century before India’s bowlers held their nerve to regain control. The equation was down to 30 needed from the final over but Bethell’s run out effectively ended England’s hopes.