FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 Nitish to quit as Bihar CM, to move to Rajya Sabha 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 ~ 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, filed their nominations. Mr 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 virtually everybody 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, stating that he had long wished to serve in both Houses of Parliament as well as in both Houses of the state legislature. Mr Kumar is believed to have been facing health concerns in recent months, an issue that has occasionally been visible during public appearances. Bihar’s opposition has repeatedly raised questions about his health and its impact on governance. There is speculation about a possible succession plan involving his son Nishant and a “suitable” central role for Mr Kumar, who has already turned 75, even as the buzz grows of NDA ally BJP finally installing its first-ever Chief Minister in Bihar. • Related report: Page 5 | Pages 16 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA LC | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR 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 or 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 | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | Friday, 06 March 2026 Poll-eve surprise: C V Ananda Bose resigns as Bengal Governor STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 5 March In a surprise development ahead of the forthcoming Assembly elections, West Bengal Governor C. V. Ananda Bose resigned from his post on Thursday evening, triggering intense political speculation. Mr Bose, who is currently in New Delhi, is learnt to have submitted his resignation there. However, the precise reasons behind his sudden decision remain unclear. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reacted sharply to the development, posting on social media that she was “shocked and deeply concerned” by the sudden resignation. “Given the prevailing circumstances, I would not be surprised if the Governor has been subjected to some pressure from the Union Home Minister to serve certain political interests on the eve of the forthcoming State Assembly elections.” Miss Banerjee said Union Home Minister Amit Shah had informed her that R N Ravi would be appointed as the new Governor of West Bengal. She said that she was not consulted in the matter, calling the move a departure from established convention. “Such actions undermine the spirit of the Constitution of India and strike at the very foundation of our federal structure. The Centre must respect the principles of cooperative federalism and refrain from taking unilateral decisions that erode democratic conventions and the dignity of States,” she stated. • Related reports: Page 3 India survive Bethell storm, through to T20 World Cup final Mumbai: Defending champions India moved into the final of the Men's T20 World Cup as their players held their nerves to defeat England by seven runs in a close semi-final match at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. Replying to India's 253 for 7, England were stopped at 246 for seven. Jacob Bethell nearly turned the tables with a breathtaking century that threatened a stunning late heist for the visitors, but the co-hosts survived the onslaught to set up a title clash with New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Earlier, Sanju Samson picked up from where he had left off at Eden Gardens and led the batting onslaught, with the Indian middle order ~ Ishan Kishan (39), Shivam Dube (43), Hardik Pandya (27) and Tilak Varma (21) ~ joining a six-hitting spree to propel India to 253/7. Page 16