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 LC | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI PERSPECTIVE Energy system’s soft underbelly exposed NATION AAP seeks disqualification of 7 RS MPs who joined BJP Page 7 Page 5 CM Mamata in campaign push in Bhowanipore STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 26 April T rinamul Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee on Sunday urged people to vote for her party to ensure peace and prosperity in the state as she addressed a political rally at Camac Street in the city, part of her Bhowanipore Assembly constituency. “People from different communities, cultures, and faiths live peacefully and happily in Bengal. We do not discriminate between religions or cultures. Our long-cherished tradition is to uphold communal peace and harmony. People from different communities have lived in Bhowanipore for generations without any problems. If the BJP comes to power, they will pit one community against another and destroy our social fabric,” she said. “Bhowanipore is mini India. One finds temples, mosques, and churches here. People from all communities take part in festivals organised by others. Religion is individual, but festivals are for all,” she maintained. Miss Banerjee emphasised that religious fanaticism is alien to Bengal, accusing the BJP of playing the communal card and disturbing peace. “In Ward 63, people from every religion and culture live together without tension. It is our responsibility to uphold this culture and tradition,” she said. Bhowanipore Assembly constituency goes to the polls on 29 April. Miss Banerjee participated in a roadshow from Lansdowne to Kalighat Fire Station, joined by people from all walks of life. Bhowanipore is Miss Banerjee’s home ground. She has lived on Harish Chatterjee Street since childhood, completed her schooling and college in the area, and knows every corner of the constituency. The BJP has fielded Suvendu Adhikari against her. Mr Adhikari defeated Miss Banerjee in Nandigram during the 2021 Assembly election, a victory that was widely described as controversial. Historically, Bhowanipore was a Congress stronghold before shifting allegiance to Trinamul Congress. It was originally part of Chowringhee Assembly seat, and when Bhowanipore constituency was created in 2011, Trinamool’s Subrata Bakshi won by 80,000 votes. Miss Banerjee later secured the seat in a by-election. PM Modi courts Matua voters in Thakurnagar RAJIB CHAKRABORTY Thakurnagar, 26 April Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday sought to consolidate support for the Bharatiya Janata Party among the influential Matua community, promising citizenship and a “secure future” while launching a sharp attack on the ruling Trinamul Congress ahead of the second phase of the Assembly elections. Addressing a packed rally in Thakurnagar ~ the nerve centre of Matua politics in North 24-Parganas ~ Mr Modi said: “I say this clearly: you will be granted citizenship. You will have a permanent address, and all necessary documents as citizens of India will be handed to you. This is Modi’s guarantee.” Thakurnagar and adjoining Gunfire disrupts White House Correspondents dinner, Trump unharmed UNITED NEWS OF INDIA Washington, 26 April Shots were fired at an annual dinner of the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) that was being attended by US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President J D Vance and several top officials. There were no fatalities and the gunman has been arrested. President Trump, his wife Melania and Vice President Vance, along with several Cabinet members, were safely evacuated as a man armed with guns and knives stormed the lobby outside the WHCA dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night, where he was tackled by Secret Service agents in a chaotic encounter. Investigators believe the suspect was staying at the hotel. That appears to be how he was able to enter the hotel at the time of the event. • Details: Page 9 Assembly segments have a sizeable Matua population, often playing a decisive role in electoral outcomes. Both the TMC and the BJP have been vying for their support. Recent complaints over deletion of names from electoral rolls during the SIR process have triggered resentment among sections of the community, an issue Mr Modi sought to address during his speech. Referring to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, Mr Modi said the Centre understood the plight of refugees. “We brought CAA because we understand your pain. But the Trinamul talks about scrapping this law,” he alleged, as he sought to position the BJP as the protector of Matua interests. Beginning his campaign early on Sunday, Mr Modi first paid obeisance at the Thakurbari before heading to the rally venue. Invoking Subhas Chandra Bose, he said: “Netaji had said, ‘Give me blood and I will give you freedom.’ I say, give me your vote and I will free you from Trinamul rule.” Mr Modi maintained an aggressive tone throughout his address, accusing the state government of failing women and fostering a “syndicate raj”. “Women in Bengal have been deceived the most under the Trinamul government. This injustice will not continue. Those responsible for atrocities will have to go,” he said. Taking aim at the ruling party’s slogan, Mr Modi added: “They came to power in the name of ‘Maa, Maati, Manush’. Today they avoid speaking of it because doing so would expose their misdeeds.” He also referred to incidents in Sandeshkhali and the RG Kar hospital rape-murder case to question law and order and women’s safety in the state. Pitching for regime change, Mr Modi asserted that only a BJP government could free Bengal from “corruption, insecurity and unemployment”. He further claimed that once in power, his party would hold the guilty accountable. “There will be accountability, step by step,” he said. • Related reports: Pgs 2, 3 | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | Monday, 27 April 2026