MONDAY 15 APRIL 2024 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 Twitter.com/thestatesman Facebook.com/thestatesman KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR WARRANTY OF JUMLAS: CONGRESS ON BJP'S MANIFESTO NAIDU PRE-PLANNED ATTACK ON JAGAN, ALLEGES YSRCP P4 WEATHER Partly cloudy sky. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 38 °C and 27 °C respectively. TEMPERATURE P6 P12 UCC, simultaneous polls CM joins Poila Baishakh celebrations in Chalsa on top of BJP agenda STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE BJP manifesto prioritises youth, women, farmers, and the underprivileged Min. 25 % Max: 37.9°C (+2) Min: 26.8°C (+1) SUN RISES SUN SETS 05:17 hrs 17:57 hrs MOON RISES MOON SETS 09:40 hrs 23:54 hrs Full Moon on 24 April THUMBNAILS A priest offers prayers to the idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laxmi on the occasion of the Bengali New Year, in Kolkata on Sunday.  ANI Sarabjit Singh's killer shot dead in Lahore: One of the accused in the brutal killing of Indian national Sarabjit Singh in Kot Lakhpat jail in 2013 was gunned down by two unidentified men in Lahore's Islampura area, Pakistan-based Samaa TV reported on Sunday. Aamir Sarfaraz alias Tamba succumbed to his injuries after two suspects on a motorcycle entered his residence in Lahore's Islampura area and fired four bullets at him on Sunday morning. Sarfaraz has died due to excessive bleeding at a hospital, Samaa TV reported, citing hospital sources. The family claimed that he had been receiving threats for some time. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 14 APRIL rime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the BJP’s manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections reinforces the four pillars of a developed India – youth power, women empowerment, farmers, and the underprivileged. The BJP advocates realisation of the vision of one nation, one election, and views the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as imperative for the nation's welfare, the prime minister said after the release of the BJP manifesto. Mr Modi launched the manifesto "BJP's Sankalp – Modi's Guarantee 2024" for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections at the BJP’s Central Office Extension. Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister and BJP Manifesto Committee Chairman Rajnath Singh, party’s national president JP Nadda, and Union Finance Minister & BJP Manifesto Committee Convenor Nirmala Sitharaman were present on the occasion. The BJP manifesto has a special focus on the welfare of senior citizens, the poor and the middle class. POLL PROMISES P I-T team searches Abhishek’s chopper at Behala flying club STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 14 APRIL Income Tax officials today conducted a search at the chopper which is used by Abhishek Banerjee, national general secretary of Trinamul Congress at the Behala flying club this afternoon. Trinamul Congress has condemned the incident and Mr Banerjee on his X handle wrote: “Instead of removing the @NIA_ India DG and SP@ECIVEEP and @BJP4India chose to deploy MINIONS FROM IT to search and raid my chopper and security personnel today, resulting in NO FINDINGS. The ZAMINDARS can exert all P5 SILIGURI, 14 APRIL RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 87 % SALT’S 89 CARRIES KKR TO EIGHT-WICKET WIN OVER LSG CONSCRIPTION LAW thr might but Bengal’s SPRIT of RESISTANCE will never waver.” Mr Banerjee is scheduled to hold a conference of party functionaries at Haldia on Monday and he is supposed to travel to East Midnapore in the helicopter. (PG3)  People above 75 years of age and transgenders will be brought under the purview of Ayushman Bharat Yojna. The limit of loans under MUDRA Yojana will be increased to Rs 20 lakh from Rs 10 lakh. If re-elected, the BJP will expand the Vande Bharat Trains to every corner of the country. Three models of Vande Bharat train --Vande Bharat Sleeper, Vande Bharat Chair Car and Vande Bharat Metro- will run across the country. The BJP will work towards realising the idea of One Nation, One Election in the next five years.  PM said that Uniform Civil Code is necessary in the interest of the country and the BJP will bring the UCC.  Prime Minister said that in the next five years, the BJP will work towards reducing the electricity bills of crores of families to zero. A solar rooftop scheme in this regard has already been announced. The party in its manifesto also said that it has decided to bring the transgender community and senior citizens above 70 years of age, whether poor, middle-class or upper middle-class, under the ambit of Ayushman Bharat scheme. Among other key poll promises, the party said the existing free ration scheme will continue for the next five years. "We are committed to supporting every garib parivar in coming out of pover-  ty and leading a dignified life.We have undertaken various measures for Garib Kalyan in the last ten years with good results. We will continue to focus on empowering our garib parivar jan to improve their quality of life, increase income, and live with dignity," the BJP said in its manifesto. "We have provided free ration to 80+ crore citizens since 2020. We will continue to provide free ration for the next five years under PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana," it said. For the middle class, the BJP in its manifesto said: "Our middle-class parivar jan are the backbone of our economy. Through their hard work, they are contributing a lot to Bharat’s economic growth. We are committed to support the aspirations of middle-class parivar jan, providing them opportunities to fulfil their dreams and creating conditions for a better quality of life." The BJP said the last 10 years have seen a large number of families join the ranks of the neo-middle class due to a steady increase in the incomes of all citizens. The BJP's election manifesto also promised 'One Nation One Election' and "single electoral roll". Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today reached out to the people at Chalsa in Jalpaiguri by celebrating Bengali New Year 1431 and Bangla Diwas with them. Hundreds of folk artists especially Adivasi boys and girls and local artists took part in a colourful programme there. Miss Banerjee joined hands with those folk artists, performed with them and played some musical instruments amidst tight security. The state power minister Aroop Biswas accompanied Miss Banerjee. She will start her third round of campaigning from Cooch Behar tomorrow. In Siliguri, under the leadership of Siliguri Mayor Goutam Deb, local artists took out a colourful procession to mark the Bengali New Year as well as Bangla Diwas in the morning. On the other hand, candidates for Lok Sabha Polls belonging to Trinamul Congress , Bharatiya Janata Party and others reached out to the people and marked the day with the Bengali people in this region today. When TMC candidate for Darjeeling LS seat Gopal Lama offered prayer in a Kali temple in Siliguri and started cam- paigning here, BJP candidate Raju Bista was busy in Darjeeling Hills today to garner votes. Notably, Mr Bista has organised a ‘Meet & Greet’ and interactive sessions with outgoing Union Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs, Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur in Siliguri tomorrow morning. On the other hand, the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Chief Executive Anit Thapa took the opportunity to criticise the BJP as sections of the Hill people were upset as there was no special commitment for Darjeeling in the BJP’s election manifesto. The BJP candidate for Jalpaiguri Jayanta Roy started campaigning at Rajganj areas in the morning and left for Maynaguri where movie star Mithun Chakraborty came to join a Road Show for Mr Roy. “West Bengal needs a change,” Mr Chakraborty told reporters here today. When the BJP candidate Manoj Tigga and TMC candidate Prakash Baraik were busy in campaigning taking on each other in Alipurduar, BJP candidate for Cooch Behar Nisith Pramanik took several families in to his confidence as they joined his party from TMC camp. The TMC leader and former North Bengal Development Minister Rabindranath Ghosh today joined hands with local BJP leaders to mark the Bengali New Year in Cooch Behar today. The police were on alert to maintain law and order and recovered nearly Rs 9 lakh from a car belonging to a BJP leader in Jalpaiguri today. Police noticed a bag which was apparently full of lotus flowers in the car and during search operations they recovered the money from the bag. India calls upon Iran, Israel to exercise restraint amidst West Asia flare-up STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Israel says that 99 per cent of the around 300 drones and missiles launched at its territory by Iran were shot down by its missile defences NEW DELHI, 14 APRIL: India on Sunday expressed serious concern over the escalating tension between Israel and Iran and called for immediate de-escalation, exercise of restraint, stepping back from violence and returning to the path of diplomacy. Hours after Iran launched dozens of drones and missiles at Israel in an unprecedented attack, the Ministry of External Affairs said: “We are seriously concerned at the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran which threatens the peace and security in the region.” "We call for immediate deescalation, exercise of restraint, stepping back from violence and return to the path of diplomacy," it said. Iran carried out the attack on Israel in response to a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus on 1 April in which several Iranian Revolutionary Guards personnel, including two generals, were killed. Israel says that 99 per cent of the around 300 drones and missiles launched at its territory by Iran were shot down by its missile defences. The MEA said: "We are closely monitoring the evolving situation. Our Embassies in the region are in close touch with the Indian community. It is vital that security and stability are maintained in the region." On Saturday, the Iranian military seized a cargo ship with Israeli links near the Strait of Hormuz. The ship has 17 Indian crew members. India is in touch with Iran to secure the release of Indians onboard the vessel, MSC Aries. Following Iran's attack, the Israeli military said it and its allies have intercepted the majority of more than 300 drones and missiles fired by Iran. Amidst fears that the attack would widen the conflict in Wst Asia, a New York Times report said that Israel decided to carry out a retaliatory attack on Teheran on Sunday morning, but it was cancelled after a phone call took place between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the situation. After Israel successfully intercepted Iranian missiles and drones, the Biden administration cautioned Tel Aviv to avoid escalation. Meanwhile, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Sardar Bagheri, has said that the military operation against Israel has "concluded" from Tehran's side, while issuing waning that if US helps Israel in their possible next actions, their bases will "not have any security", and will be dealt with. "Israel's actions in the consulate were condemned so a response should have been given," Gen. Bagheri said. He also noted that, although the operation is concluded, Iranian forces continue to remain on high alert. Iranian officials have made it apparent that the strikes this weekend were reprisals for an Israeli strike on 1 April that destroyed an Iranian consulate facility in Damascus. (See Page 9) Salman again targeted; Mumbai Rajnath slams TMC cops probe firing at actor’s home over women safety, Cong has become tukde tukdegang’s sultan, wants to weaken country: PM AGENCIES AGENCIES corruption in Bengal MUMBAI, 14 APRIL Unidentified persons opened fire outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan's Bandra home around dawn on Sunday, an act later claimed by the Lawrence Bishnoi mafia outfit. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch has launched an investigation after at least three-four bullets were fired at the actor’s Bandra West home early this morning, officials said. The attack was carried out at least two unidentified persons sporting helmets who came speeding on a motorcycle and fired at least four shots in the direction of Galaxy Apartment, before zooming off on the dark and deserted road. Anmol Bishnoi, the brother of the jailed Lawrence Bishnoi who is based in the USA, later put up a post on Facebook, in which he described the incident as the "first and last warning" for Salman Khan, ominously declaring that the next time "the bullets won’t be fired at walls or an empty home". For the past several years, Salman Khan and his family have been facing death threats from certain Punjab- AGENCIES ALIPURDUAR, 14 APRIL Police and forensic team collect evidence after two unidentified people opened fire outside the house of Bollywood actor Salman Khan, at Bandra in Mumbai on Sunday.  ANI based mafia groups like the Bishnoi gang. In the past couple of years, he and his father Salim Khan have been issued death threats in different ways, including dropping a letter to the family. It was not immediately known if Salman Khan was at home or not on a weekend holiday just after the Ramzan Eid celebrations. On learning of the incident, a Bandra Police team rushed to the Khan household and launched preliminary investigations, and also tightened security in the vicinity. The police are scanning the CCTV footage in the area to trace out the shooters and check their motives and tar- gets. Hours later, a Crime Branch and Forensic Team with ballistics experts also arrived on the scene and found at least one bullet mark on the gate of the building entrance. Salman Khan (58), lives with almost his entire joint family comprising parents, brothers and their kin at the landmark Galaxy Apartments on the picturesque Bandra seaface area of suburban northwest Mumbai. For several years, Salim Khan and Salman Khan have been getting death threats from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang after the 1998 blackbuck poaching incident in Rajasthan. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday attacked the Trinamool Congress on multiple issues ranging from illegal migrants to women's safety in West Bengal. Addressing an election rally in Alipurduar, Rajnath Singh said, "We got CAA passed for the people of minority communities to get Indian citizenship, but we are tough against illegal immigrants and his government will ensure proper investigation to find out illegal immigrants who have been turned into TMC voters." Speaking on the Sandeshkhali incident, Rajnath Singh said that the BJP will ensure law and order in the state. “These are the basic requirements for the development of any state. BJP can only guarantee women's safety," said Rajnath Singh while adding that the Modi government respects women and this is the reason they got the women's reservation bill passed by both houses of Parliament. Further lashing out at Congress, Rajnath Singh said that "three generations of the Gandhi family assured to eradicate poverty from the country but they failed miserably".“It was ended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and more than 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty," he added. Attacking the Communist Party of India (CPI) manifesto's proposal to eliminate nuclear weapons, he said that India will dispose of nuclear weapons only when the entire world gets rid of them. “How can India do this when its neighbors are armed with nuclear weapons?" he said. CMYK MYSURU , 14 APRIL In the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at the Congress party, calling it "sultan of tukde tukde gang", during a public rally in Karnataka's Mysuru on Sunday. He alleged that the Congress party "wants to weaken" the country, adding the latter's "hate towards the nation" has "crossed the limit". “Congress party has become the sultan of tukde tukde gang. Their hate towards the country has crossed the limit. Congress wants to weaken the country. The Congress party's dangerous intentions are still the same. They have not changed. They are playing with fire to assume power," PM Modi said while addressing a public rally in Mysuru on Sunday. “Nowadays Congress hesitates to say Bharat Mata Ki Jai in election rallies. Earlier, they opposedVande Mataram, now Congress avoids saying Bharat Mata ki Jai. This will lead to the end of Congress," the Prime Minister added. PM Modi further escalated his attack on the Congress party and alleged, "Congress forms alliance with an organization involved in terrorist activities which is banned. Congress asks for proof of surgical attack from Army." “They refuse to accept Kashmir as our own. They disrespected Lord Ram. People of INDI alliance want to end Sanatan. They want to destroy Hindu religion. As long as Modi is there, no one's plans will be fulfilled, this is Modi's guarantee," he added. The Prime Minister also alleged that Congress has been indulging in appeasement politics "Game of appeasement is rampant in Karnataka. Karnataka has been witnessing this, that Congress rewards people, who talk ill of the country, with election tickets. An ugly game of appeasement is being played in Karnataka! Can you give the reins of the country to the people openly playing the game of vote bank?," he said. “The elections of 2024 will decide the future of India not for 5 years but for 2047. 24/7 for 2047 every moment for India," PM Modi said.