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 | SILIGURI EDITORIAL Trump arrives in Beijing for talks with China’s Xi Broken trust Page 9 PERSPECTIVE The economics of quiet patriotism Page 7 Page 6 CM steps up ‘zero tolerance’ drive against corruption STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Suvendu Adhikari retains Bhowanipore, relinquishes Nandigram, says won’t abandon Nandigram’s people C Kolkata: Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday took oath in the state Assembly as the MLA from Bhowanipore, signalling that he would relinquish the Nandigram seat after having won from both constituencies in the Assembly elections. Speaking to reporters after the oath-taking ceremony, Mr Adhikari said: “I cannot remain MLA from two constituencies and so I shall have to resign from Nandigram but I will fulfil every promise made to Nandigram... I have left Nandigram but the people of Nandigram will never feel my absence,” he said. (Photo by Biswajit Ghoshal) hief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday accelerated his government’s “zero tolerance” campaign against corruption, announcing a series of measures to empower investigative agencies and crack down on unauthorised structures. Mr Adhikari said his government had granted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and other agencies the consent that had been withheld by the previous regime, thereby enabling them to commence prosecution of government officers complicit in scams such as teacher recruitment, civic body appointments and cooperative irregularities. “The previous dispensation deliberately withheld permission for four years in several cases being probed by the CBI, preventing chargesheets and trials. Today, we have given Thursday, 14 May 2026 SPORTS WORLD New Delhi, 13 May | the CBI the required authority to prosecute corrupt officials with immediate effect,” the Chief Minister said at Nabanna. He directed officials to act ruthlessly against unauthorised constructions, citing the recent Tiljala fire incident in which two people died. The inquiry committee’s report, he said, revealed blatant violations of building and fire safety rules. The owner of the unauthorised factory has been arrested, he added. He also said that harassment of potato farmers and small traders at inter-state borders would no longer be tolerated, pointing out that farmers and small businessmen had suffered extensive harassment during the Trinamul regime, particularly those involved in the potato trade. Later, at a meeting with secretaries of 41 departments, he reiterated that corruption would not be tolerated and stressed that IAS officers must shoulder responsibility for executing plans in strict adherence to government rules. • Related report: Page 3 PBKS battle slump while MI play for pride in Dharamsala Page 12 Austerity campaign: PM reduces convoy size, Suvendu follows suit STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 13 May In a move indicating implementation of austerity measures within the government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has significantly reduced his convoy size. Officials said that the reduction was carried out while maintaining essential security components as per the SPG protocol. Typically, the PM’s convoy includes Pilot vehicles, escort vehicles, the Prime Minister’s car, a backup vehicle, an ambulance, medical emergency vehicles, and a communications vehicle. PM Modi has also asked for the inclusion of Electric Vehicles in his convoy, wherever possible, without new purchases, sources said. PM Modi on Sunday called on citizens to reduce consumption of fuel and switch to public transport, among other austerity measures, in the wake of the global energy disruption caused by the Iran war. Import tariffs on gold, silver hiked: New Delhi: The Centre has raised the import tariffs on gold and silver to 15 per cent from 6 per cent, as part of efforts to curb overseas purchases of the metals and ease pressure on the country's foreign exchange reserves. The move comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to the citizens to avoid buying gold for a year to help conserve foreign exchange reserves. Global bullion prices are already soaring amid geopolitical uncertainty, volatile crude oil markets and fears of prolonged conflict in West Asia. The government has imposed a 10 per cent basic customs duty and a 5 per cent Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC) on gold and silver imports, taking the effective import tax to 15 per cent from 6 per cent. As India imports nearly all the gold it consumes, the higher duties are expected to directly influence domestic gold prices, jewellery rates and investment demand. However, PM Modi’s appeal to citizens to reduce fuel consumption triggered significant backlash on social media due to the contrasting, large-scale convoys used by officials and politicians. Meanwhile, Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced a significant cut in the number of vehicles in his official convoy, echoing PM NModi’s appeal for fuel conservation. Mr Adhikari, speaking before he took oath as an MLA in the state Assembly, said unnecessary vehicles in his convoy would be withdrawn with immediate effect. Notably, Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma and Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav have also reportedly decided to reduce their convoy size. India, Iran hold talks on bilateral, regional issues Decision on Kerala CM will be announced today ahead of BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NIKHIL VYAS New Delhi, 13 May India and Iran on Wednesday held talks on “bilateral and regional issues”, including recent regional developments in New Delhi, a day ahead of the commencement of the high-stakes two-day BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting. India is hosting a key BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Thursday and Friday at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital wherediscussions will be on issues of mutual interest. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar will chair the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting on 14-15 May. Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Sibi George, held talks with Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem New Delhi, 13 May Gharibabadi in New Delhi on Wednesday with discussions focussed on bilateral and regional issues, including recent regional developments. Iran's Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali and other officials were also present during the meeting. “Secretary (West) Sibi George received Dr. Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs of Iran. Discussions focused on bilateral and regional issues, including recent developments,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X after the meeting. According to sources from Iran, Mr Gharibabadi is likely to attend the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Meanwhile, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono arrived in New Delhi early on Wednesday for the meeting. SC stays Madras HC order restraining newly-elected TN MLA from voting in floor test PARMOD KUMAR New Delhi, 13 May Terming it “atrocious,” the Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed a Madras High Court order restraining newly elected Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLA R. Seenivasa Sethupathi from voting in any floor test or trust vote in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. Sethupathi won the Tiruppattur Assembly constituency in Sivagangai district by a margin of one vote. Staying the High Court order and further proceedings in the matter, a Bench of Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Vijay Bishnoi observed, “This (order) is atrocious to say the least,” while noting that the High Court passed the impugned order on a petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution by defeated candidate K.R. Periakaruppan. The Supreme Court noted that a challenge to an election result can only be raised through an election petition. It observed that although the High Court acknowledged that an election petition was the proper remedy, it nevertheless proceeded to pass directions in proceedings initiated under Article 226 of the Constitution. The apex court issued notice to Mr Periakaruppan, who had lost the election to Seenivasa Sethupathi. Mr Periakaruppan had approached the High Court alleging discrepancies in the counting process, including the alleged rejection of a postal ballot after it was mistakenly sent to another constituency. According to him, a postal ballot meant for the Tiruppattur constituency in Sivagangai district was wrongly sent to the Tiruppattur Assembly constituency and was consequently rejected. Permanent Secretary of Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed has also arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday to attend the Summit. In a significant arrival ahead of the multilateral summit, Uzbekistan Deputy Foreign Minister Aloyev Bakhromjon Joraboevich landed in New Delhi, signalling the deepening engagement between the two nations within the expanded BRICS framework. Kazakhstan's First Deputy Foreign Minister Yerzahan Ashikbayev has also arrived in the national capital to participate in the Meeting. Foreign Minister of Brazil Mauro Vieira has also arrived in India for the meeting. Addressing a weekly media briefing on Tuesday, the MEA spokesperson said: "India will host the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting on 14th and 15th May 2026. The meeting will be chaired by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar. BRICS Foreign Ministers and heads of delegations from member and partner countries will participate in the meeting. They will also call on honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. During the meeting, the Foreign Ministers of BRICS member countries will exchange views on global and regional issues of mutual interest,” said Mr Jaiswal. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday said that the decision on the next Chief Minister of Kerala will be announced tomorrow after the completion of internal deliberations by the party high command. The remarks come amid continued suspense over the Chief Minister face in Kerala, ten days after the Congress-led United Democratic Front secured a decisive mandate in the 2026 Assembly elections. The results were announced on 4 May and Congress has yet to make an announcement on the CM post. Speaking to reporters, Mr Ramesh said: "As authorised by the members of the CLP in Kerala, the high command of Congress has completed all discussions. The decision on who the next CM of Kerala will be announced tomorrow." The Congress high command has been holding consultations in New Delhi with senior Keralam leaders to finalise the name for the Chief Minister’s post. Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala are among the frontrunners for the post. The United Democratic Front (UDF) emerged victorious in Kerala Assembly elections after comfortably crossing the majority mark of 71 seats in the 140-member House, a verdict seen as a decisive rejection of the decade-long rule of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and one that signals a major comeback for the Congress-led coalition. The UDF secured 102 seats, including 63 by the Congress. Meanwhile, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Wednesday said that the Congress party has been overwhelmed with "confusion" amid the suspense over the Chief Ministerial nominee for Kerala. "The Congress party is in complete confusion even after 9 days... Congress got a full majority in Kerala and yet there is confusion... I was even told that there will be five CMs in five years... Wherever there is Congress, there is confusion. You can see the situation of Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh...", he said, taking out binoculars to take a dig at the Congress. (With agency inputs) Vijay govt wins confidence vote, gets backing of rebel AIADMK MLAs STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Chennai, 13 May Crossing the major hurdle facing his government, Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Joseph Vijay on Wednesday won the vote of confidence in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, securing the support of 144 members, well in excess of the halfway mark of 118. With the rebel legislators of the AIADMK and the lone AMMK MLA joining hands with the Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), CPI, CPI-M, and IUML in extending support to the government, the motion moved by Mr Vijay seeking the confidence of the House was passed by a division of votes. Of the 47 AIADMK members, only 22 voted against the motion, while the rest supported it. The division of votes was preceded by a discussion in which Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) and others participated. “We are staging a walkout as the people have lost confidence in the government, which is trying to secure a majority by horse-trading. Despite the walkout, Mr Chief Minister, you will win the trust vote. But we want the government to continue the pro-people welfare measures of the previous DMK government,” Udhayanidhi said before leading his colleagues out. He also pointed out that after lashing out at the AIADMK as a den of corruption during the campaign, the TVK is likely to accommodate a section of the party legislators and elevate some into the cabinet. Though the AIADMK leadership had not issued a whip, the split in the party was apparent, with the rebels teaming up with the treasury benches even as those aligned with EPS opposed the motion. The rebel camp, led by former ministers CVe Shanmugam and SP Velumani, had made it clear on Tuesday that they would vote in favour of the government. Interestingly, Kamaraj, the lone legislator of the AMMK, which is part of the NDA, AIADMK sacks rival faction leaders SP Velumani, C Ve Shanmugam from party posts: Chennai: After a faction of AIADMK leaders voted for Vijay’s TVK during trust vote, party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday removed party leaders SP Velumani, C Ve Shanmugam and C Vijayabaskar from their party posts. Natham R Viswanathan was also relieved of his party responsibility after these leaders defied the party line and voted in favour of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government during the confidence motion in the Assembly earlier in the day. Mr Palaniswami replaced the party posts of the 25 MLAs and appointed new district secretaries in their places. joined the ranks of those supporting the government. The PMK, with its four members, and the lone BJP MLA, Bhojarajan, remained neutral. For his part, Mr Vijay reached out to the AIADMK rebels and honoured Mr Shanmugam and Mr Velumani, presenting them with shawls and assuring that he would take care of them. “I am there. I will look after you,” he had said at the brief meeting. Earlier, he had called on VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan and IUML chief Prof Khader Mohideen to thank them for their support. This followed his meeting with CPI and CPI-M leaders, shortly after the parties pledged their support for the TVK government, enabling Vijay to stake his claim before the Governor. More than Mr Vijay passing the trust vote, the move split the AIADMK, undermining EPS's leadership and presenting a bleak future for the party. Significantly, this is the first time that the Tamil Nadu legislature has witnessed cross voting. Defections being rare, party loyalty remain very strong and both the Dravidian parties led by stalwarts with mass appeal, kept the members their captive flock who seldom dared to vote against the respective parties. With their defiance of the ‘party whip’, the rebels led by former ministers, CVe Shanmugham, SP Velumani and C Vijayabhaskar, have formalised the split in the party. Interestingly, AIADMK legislator Leema Rose, wife of ‘lottery king’ Santiago Martin, and mother-in-law of Tamil Nadu minister and a general secretary of the ruling TVK Aadhav Arjuna, has joined the ranks of the rebels. From the beginning she has been working for teaming up with the TVK.