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 LC | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR Evolve Vote for Verdant | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | 03 May 2026 S P O RT S The Great Indian Stomach Scam SRH eye sixth straight win as KKR seek revival Page 16 BRIEFLY Prasoon Joshi appointed Prasar Bharati Chairman: New Delhi: Noted lyricist, writer and communications expert Prasoon Joshi was on Saturday named as the Chairman of Prasar Bharati, India’s public service broadcaster. Joshi is a distinguished creative professional with wide-ranging contributions across literature, advertising, cinema, and public communication. Known for his impactful writing and deep cultural sensibility, he has played a significant role in shaping contemporary Indian media narratives. His body of work spans acclaimed film lyrics, advertising campaigns, and socially resonant storytelling that connects with diverse audiences across the country. On Joshi’s appointment, Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “My heartfelt congratulations to Shri Prasoon Joshi ji on his appointment as Chairman of the Prasar Bharati Board. ECI cancels Falta poll, fresh vote on 21 May STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 2 May I n a major late evening development, the Election Commission of India has cancelled the entire polling process in the Falta Assembly constituency of South 24-Parganas and ordered a fresh election in all 285 polling booths on 21 May. The counting for Falta will take place on 24 May. The decision came after there were a series of complaints regarding serious electoral malpractices, including EVM tampering, switching off CCTV cameras and allegations of intimidation of voters. In a notification issued on Saturday night, the Commission stated that the polling held in Falta on Thursday stands null and void. While counting of votes for 293 Assembly constituencies across West Bengal will take place on Monday, Falta will be excluded from the exercise. According to the notification Residents of Falta stage a protest against alleged threats by TMC leaders, in South 24-Parganas on Saturday. ANI VIDEO GRAB there have been multiple complaints of grave electoral offences from several booths in the constituency, prompting the commission to scrap the entire polling process. Falta had already been in the spotlight ahead of the second phase of polling, amid tensions between ECI-appointed police observer Ajaypal Sharma and Trinamul Congress candidate Jahangir Khan. There were allegations of EVM tampering in Falta on the day of polling. Following these complaints, the Commission conducted a detailed scrutiny before arriving at its decision. Acting on the directions of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, special observer Subrata Gupta visited Falta, Magrahat, and Diamond Harbour to oversee the scrutiny process. After assessing the situation, Mr Gupta submitted a report to the ECI, reportedly recommending repolling in around 30 booths in Falta. Sources indicated that the scrutiny revealed alarming irregularities, including CCTV cameras being switched off at several booths, preventing real-time monitoring from control rooms. In addition, allegations emerged that party symbols on EVMs were covered with tape in some booths. Although presiding officers later reported that the tape had been removed around 1 p.m, nearly 58 per cent of voting had already taken place by then, raising serious concerns over the integrity of the polling process. In the aftermath of polling, Falta witnessed repeated incidents of unrest. Tensions flared in Hashimnagar, where BJP workers alleged assault and obstruction from voting. Protests erupted over two consecutive days, with demonstrators blocking national highways and demanding repolling as well as the arrest of Trinamul candidate Jahangir Khan and his associates. • Related reports: Pgs 2, 3 We will win, Mamata says, asks party agents to be extra vigilant IN THEIR VIRTUAL PEP TALK, MISS BANERJEE AND ABHISHEK BANERJEE EMPHASISED THE NEED FOR AGENTS TO STAY ALERT, ACT SWIFTLY, AND RESPOND TO DEVELOPMENTS AS THEY UNFOLD. MISS BANERJEE PRAISED THE AGENTS’ DEDICATION DURING THE POLLS, DESPITE FACING “EXTREME BRUTALITY.” STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 2 May Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday exuded confidence that the Trinamul C o n g res s will eme rg e victorious in the ongoing assembly elections, as she and party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee sought to galvanise party counting agents ahead of the crucial counting day on 4 May. Addressing the counting agents via video conferencing, Miss Banerjee dismissed the exit poll projections, several of which gave an edge to the BJP in Bengal, and characterised them as an attempt to “manipulate the stock market.” “ We are wi nning and winning by 200+ seats. Exit polls are nothing but an attempt to manipulate the stock market. They did in 2021, 2024, and now,” she said. In their virtual pep talk, Chief Minister Mamata Banerje e and Abhishek Banerjee emphasised the need for agents to stay alert, act swiftly, and respond to developments as they unfold. Miss Banerjee praised the agents’ dedication during the polls, despite facing “extreme brutality.” She urged them to maintain the same zeal during counting:“You gave your best during the polls, fighting tooth and nail despite hardships. Remember, we are going to retain power with more than 200 seats. Do not leave your seat, even if it is 2 a.m., until I give instructions. Keep a close watch on marginal seats where the difference could be 200–300 votes. In such cases, demand re-polls.” Strategy huddles, post-poll planning: Political parties await counting day VIBHA SHARMA New Delhi, 2 May With around 48 hours to go before counting begins on Monday, political parties across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry have shifted to behindthe-scenes strategising and huddles. As voters await clarity on the shape and colour of their next government, parties are holding last-minute meetings, training counting agents, and preparing for post-result scenarios. The counting of votes will begin on Monday morning. Postal ballots will be taken up first, followed by EVM votes. Results for 234 seats in Tamil Nadu, 293 of 294 in West Bengal, 140 in Kerala, 126 in Assam, and 30 in Puducherry are expected to be declared by the end of the day. As the final hours tick down, the political atmosphere remains charged, especially in the high-stakes fight between the Trinamul and the BJP in Bengal, with parties bracing for outcomes that could reshape regional power dynamics, perhaps also national politics. In Tamil Nadu, hectic political activity is said to be under way beneath the surface. The ruling DMK, led by Chief Minister M K Stalin is preparing for a potential challenge from actor Vijay’s newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which some exit polls have described as a possible “game changer.” Alongside public messaging, parties are engaged in internal discussions and pre-result huddles. BJP ally AIADMK and DMK partner Congress are said to have both sent signals to Vijay, who met all 234 TVK candidates to keep the flock together and discuss strategy, according to sources. TVK leaders struck a confident note, saying that Vijay had issued strict instructions to cadres and expressed confidence that the party would outperform expectations. Like the DMK, the AIADMK also exuded optimism, claiming it would secure a decisive mandate. Mr Stalin has been holding meetings both to review counting-day arrangements as well as future strategy. At the centre of the action this election season, however, is Bengal ~ where the atmosphere is supercharged as CM Mamata Banerjee seeks a fourth consecutive term in a closely contested battle against the BJP. With pollsters offering mixed assessments (some even refraining from sticking their neck out), tensions have only escalated. Allegations have been raised over the security of strongrooms where EVMs are stored, with the TMC flagging possible irregularities, which the ECI has refuted. Lauding party cadres and activists, she added: “Those who worked tirelessly and selflessly, even in the face of police brutality, will be rewarded.” She also advised counting agents to bring m e a l s f ro m t h e i r own h ouseh olds and avoid accepting food from others. Abhishek Banerjee echoed her sentiments, telling agents to ignore exit poll predictions. “It is a ploy the BJP resorts to after every election to demoralise the opposition. This trend has been observed for the last 10–12 years. The brutality of Central forces will continue until 4 May, but do not be thwarted by their actions. Counting agents must remain at the centres until the end, until certificates are issued.” The Trinamul Congress, meanwhile, deputed former DG and current Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Kumar as one of the party’s counting observers for the Barrackpore-Dumdum Assembly constituencies. ECI bolsters arrangements ahead of Bengal vote counting STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 2 May The Election Commission of India has stepped up preparations for the counting of votes in the West Bengal Assembly elections, deploying a significant number of additional observers to ensure the process remains free, fair, and transparent on Monday, 4 May. In a press note issued on Saturday, the Election Commission said it has appointed 165 Additional Counting Observers to support the existing Counting Observers, along with 77 Police Observers tasked with overseeing security and maintaining law and order around counting centres. The ECI said the Additional Counting Observers have been deployed across 165 Assembly constituencies where more than one counting hall has been set up, necessitating closer supervision. Police Observers will monitor security arrangements outside counting venues and ensure adherence to the Commission’s SC declines to pass order on vote counting staff; ECI rules to stand New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Saturday refused to pass any order on a plea of the Trinamul Congress challenging the Election Commission of India's (ECI) decision to deploy Central government and Central public sector employees during the counting of votes for the West Bengal Assembly elections. The Trinamul Congress had earlier challenged the ECI’s decision in Calcutta High Court, but the court said that the ECI had jurisdiction to appoint counting personnel. After hearing arguments, a Supreme Court bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Jaymalya Bagchi stated that no order was necessary in this matter, but recorded the submission of the ECI that its 13 April circular would be implemented in full. The Court noted that this includes the deployment of state government employees along with Central government and PSU personnel in the vote counting process, as claimed by the TMC. Page 2 guidelines, though they will not be permitted to enter counting halls on the day of counting. The Commission said entry to counting centres will be allowed only through QR code-based photo identity cards issued by Returning Officers via the ECINet system. It also said that mobile phones will not be allowed inside EAM S Jaishankar to embark on three-nation tour of North America counting halls except for use by the Counting Observer and the Returning Officer. The ECI said Form 17C-II, which captures results from electronic voting machines, will be prepared by Counting Supervisors in the presence of counting agents and shared with them for signatures, with the process repeatable if demanded. Delhi judge found dead at home, suicide suspected AGENCIES New Delhi, 2 May STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 2 May External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will pay an official visit to Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago from 2 to 10 May, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Saturday. These countries share a special connection with India owing to the presence of Girmitiya communities. During the visit, Mr Jaishankar will meet with the leadership of the three countries and hold discussions with his counterparts covering the entire gamut of bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest. The visit is envisaged to continue the momentum of India’s political engagements with Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago and boost India’s longstanding and friendly relations with these countries, reflecting mutual commitment to South-South cooperation and development. Mr Jaishankar is also expected to have bilateral engagements and interactions with prominent leaders of businesses and members of the Indian community in these countries. A 30-year-old judge was found dead at his residence in South Delhi’s Safdarjung, with police suspecting suicide. The deceased has been identified as Aman Kumar Sharma, who was the secretary of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) in North-East Delhi at Karkardooma Court. Sharma was found hanging from a ceiling fan and his brother-in-law informed the police. Police teams reached the residence, where Sharma was found inside the bathroom. He was taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Initial information suggests that Sharma died by suicide. Police said no signs of foul play have emerged so far, though all angles are being examined. After man takes sister’s skeleton to bank, Naveen Patnaik seeks humane banking in tribal areas STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Bhubaneswar, 2 May Expressing deep anguish over the shocking incident in which a tribal man carried his sister’s skeletal remains to a bank to prove her death and access her bank funds, Leader of the Opposition in the Odisha Assembly, Naveen Patnaik on Saturday urged Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to ensure a more humane banking system, particularly in remote tribal regions. In a letter written to the Union Finance Minister, Patnaik referred to the 27 April incident at a branch of Odisha Gramya Bank in Keonjhar district, where Jitu Munda reportedly exhumed his sister’s remains after repeated failed attempts to access her bank account for withdrawal of funds. The incident has sparked widespread outrage across Odisha and drawn international attention, noted Mr Patnaik. The incident though isolated gives us an insight to put in place a more humane banking administration especially in remote tribal areas, he said. Calling the episode “deeply disturbing,” Mr Patnaik said it exposes the urgent need for citizen-centric and compassionate banking services in rural and tribal areas. He also criticised the bank’s reported attempt to justify its actions by citing adherence to RBI guidelines. “Rules are meant to empower citizens, not humiliate them,” Mr Patnaik said, urging immediate accountability for the lapse. He further called for systemic reforms to prevent such incidents and ensure empathetic service delivery across rural banking institutions.