WEDNESDAY 08 MAY 2024 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC Twitter.com/thestatesman Facebook.com/thestatesman INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR LALU PRASAD CLARIFIES MUSLIM QUOTA PITCH ABOUT WESTERN POTS AND INDIAN KETTLES P7 SENSEX 73,511.85383.69 WEATHER Generally cloudy sky. Rain/ Thundershower accompanied with strong gusty wind very likely Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 33 °C and 22 °C respectively. RAINFALL: 0.70.7mm RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 98 % Min. 56 % Max: 32.7°C (-3.0) SUN RISES 05:0 hrs MOON RISES 04:6 hrs Min: 21.7°C (-5.1) SUN SETS 18:6 hrs MOON SETS 17:24 hrs TEMPERATURE Full Moon on 08 May THUMBNAILS Voters at a polling booth during the 3rd phase of the General Elections in Farakka, Murshidabad on Tuesday.  SNS Top TRF terrorist among two gunned down in Kulgam encounter: The most wanted “A++ category terrorist” and operational chief of Pakistan-backed The Resistance Front (TRF), Basit Dar, was among two terrorists killed on Tuesday in an encounter with the security forces in the Redwani area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district. PUTIN BEGINS 5TH TERM AS PRESIDENT P5 NIFTY 22,302.50140.20 SRH VS LSG: RAIN MAY PLAY A PART P9 GOLD 72,380330 ` vs $ 83.48 SILVER 85,000100 Modi magic does not work any more: CM odi magic is over. It does not work any more,” Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said at an election rally here on Tuesday. Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘Nandalal’ in reference to a selfish character depicted in an old Bengali comic song, Miss Banerjee said: “Don't allow him to continue in office. He'll cause further problems. I urge you, Modi Hathao, Desh Bachao (Drive away Modi and save the country). He'll sell the entire country. In the name of NRC, he and his colleagues will push everyone out of this country." She added: “We've already prevented the implementation of NRC in Bengal. I won't allow them here so long as I'm alive." Miss Banerjee reached Patrasayar in a helicopter from Purulia to campaign for her party candidates ~ Sujata Mondal (in Bish- M nupur) and Arup Chakraborty (in Bankura). Patrasayar, a very small town surrounded by villages bordering East Burdwan district falls under Bishnupur Lok Sabha constituency. In a district with a significant presence of tribal and Scheduled Caste voters in the district, Miss Banerjee raised the issue of the UCC (Uniform Civil Code) and said: “He has sold out communities like Bhumijas, Lodhas, Sabars, Mundas, Tudus, Bauris and Bagdis by trying to impose the UCC.” She referred to the ide- ology of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and said: "If we want to secure our existence in the days to come, we’ll have to pursue Netaji's immortal slogan of 'Jai Hind' that talks about an united India.” She also said: "We've also adopted Vande Mataram and Joy Bangla with this to uphold our identity." The Chief Minister, apprehending fresh spells of thunderstorms cautioned her party supporters: "Bengal lost 12 lives due to thunderstorm yesterday. You should take care of yourselves. Don't stay under the trees during stormy weather." Speaking earlier in Purulia, Miss Banerjee on Tuesday alleged that the Election Commission has turned a blind eye to the allegations against BJP leaders that they indulge in hate speeches during campaigns, The Model Code of Conduct has been converted into "Modi code of conduct", she said. Miss Banerjee said that Prime Minister Modi and other top BJP leaders consider only themselves as Hindus, and they do not think about other communities. Mr Modi and other BJP leaders by their hatefilled speeches are intimidating lower caste Hindus, minorities and other marginalised sections, but the Election Commission is silent, she alleged. "The Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct has turned out to be a mockery and should be rechristened as Modi code of conduct. But we will continue to flag every incident of violation of rights of citizens of this country," Miss Banerjee said. (PHOTO: IANS) BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 82.690.64 SC stays high court’s order cancelling school jobs Mamata welcomes SC stay CM slams ECI, says Model Code of Conduct has become Modi Code of Conduct STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE PATRASAYAR, 7 MAY P12 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 7 MAY PARMOD KUMAR NEW DELHI, 7 MAY The Supreme Court on Tuesday partially stayed the Calcutta High Court order cancelling the appointment of over 25,000 assistant teachers and nonteaching staff in state-run schools in West Bengal, subject to the final outcome of the hearing posted for 16 July 2024. Extending its 9 November 2023 interim order protecting the services of the teaching and the non-teaching staff, a bench of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice J. B. Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra however, said that the CBI would continue with its investigation into the scam but will not take any coercive steps or actions against candidates or state govt officials. The top court also said that the teaching and the non-teaching staff whose appointment has been found to be illegal, will refund their salaries between now and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today welcomed the Supreme Court interim order which stayed the cancellation of the appointments of 25,753 school staff by a recent order of Calcutta High Court. She tweeted: “I am really very happy and mentally relaxed on receipt of justice at the Highest Court of the land. Congratulations to the entire teaching fraternity and my humble regards to the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. Abhishek Banerjee, national general secretary ofTrinamul Congress tweeted: “The Honourable Supreme Court has defused the BJP’s explosive hurled last week to malign Bengal’s image and destabilize WB government. Truth has triumphed. We will continue to defy all odds and stand shoulder to shoulder with the people until our last breath.” Addressing the media Mrs Chandrima Bhattacharya, state finance minister came down heavily on Suvendu Adhikari, leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly. the final outcome of the petitions challenging the 22 April 2024, Calcutta High Court order. In the course of the hearing, the bench described the recruitment scam as a “systemic fraud”. The bench noted that the West Bengal government has no data to prove the sanctity of these tests. In the hearing that lasted for the entire day, the bench observed: “The public job is so scarce.... Nothing remains if the faith of the public goes. This is sys- temic fraud. Public jobs are extremely scarce today and are looked at for social mobility. What remains in the system if their appointments are also maligned? People will lose faith, how do you countenance this?” All these appointments were made following a statelevel test held in 2016. The results were declared on 3 March 2018 and the merit list came out on 28 August 2018. The actual joining took place in January-February 2019. 61.45 pc voter turnout in third phase of LS polls: ECI Kejriwal will not do official work if released on bail: SC STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE PARMOD KUMAR ECI issues notification for 7th phase NEW DELHI, 7 MAY More than 61 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the third phase of voting in the 18th Lok Sabha election on Tuesday. The polling held in 93 parliamentary constituencies spread over 11 states and Union territories was by and large peaceful. Voting, which began amidst tight security at 7 a.m across 1.85 lakh polling stations, concluded at 6 p.m. Of the 93 Lok Sabha seats in the third phase, 25 were in Gujarat, 14 in Karnataka, 11 in Maharashtra, 10 in Uttar Pradesh, nine in Madhya Pradesh, seven in Chhattisgarh, five in Bihar, four each inWest Bengal and Assam, and two each in Goa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu. Prominent among the candidates whose fate was sealed in the EVMs are Union ministers Amit Shah (Gandhinagar, Gujarat) and Jyotiraditya Scindia (Guna, Madhya Pradesh), and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan (Vidisha) of the BJP and for, mer Madhya Pradesh CM Digvijaya Singh (Rajgarh) NEW DELHI, 7 MAY STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 7 MAY The Election Commission of India on Tuesday issued notification for the seventh phase of voting in the 18th Lok Sabha polls, scheduled to be held on 1 June. The filing of nominations began with the issuing of the notification. The polling will be held in 57 parliamentary constituencies across eight states and Union territories (UTs). from the Congress. Other key candidates in the third phase included the wife of former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Dimple Yadav (Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh) and All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal (Dhubri, Assam). According to the data issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI), at 8 p.m, the estimated poll turnout was 61.45 per cent. Assam regis- tered the highest turnout at 75.26 per cent, followed by Goa at 74.27 per cent andWest Bengal at 73.93 per cent. Uttar Pradesh recorded 57.34 per cent turnout. For the convenience of voters, arrangements were made at polling stations to deal with hot weather conditions, including facilities like water, shamiyana, and fans. Seventy-five delegates from 23 countries, who are in India on the ECI’s invitation, witnessed the poll process on Tuesday. The general elections are being held in seven phases between 19 April and 1 June. The first phase of polling was held on 19 April and second phase on 26 April. The first phase recorded 66.14 per cent voter turnout and the second 66.71 per cent. The fourth phase is scheduled to take place on 13 May, fifth phase on 20 May, sixth phase on 25 May and seventh phase on 1 June. The Supreme Court on Tuesday indicated that if Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is released on interim bail in view of the general elections, he should not be performing official duties as discharging INDIA parties committed to defend Constitution, democracy: Sonia STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 7 MAY Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi said here on Tuesday that the INDIA bloc parties, including Congress, are committed to defending the Constitution and democracy. Sonia Gandhi’s reiteration of commitment to the constitution and democracy came in the wake of the Opposition’s oft-repeated stand that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections are an opportunity to “save the Constitution and democracy from the ruling BJP”. ‘World recognises the way India deals with terrorism today’ STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 7 MAY External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar said here on Tuesday that the world recognises that today India deals with terrorism very differently from how it used to. Addressing a Viksit Bharat 2047 programme held at Hansraj College in the national capital, Mr Jaishankar emphasised India's stance as a principled yet robust nation highlighting the country's evolving approach towards challenges such as terrorism and border disputes. In his address, the EAM also underscored the nation's commitment to integrity and resilience. “The image of India is of friendly but fair... If you look at a challenge like terrorism, the world recognises that today's India deals with ter- rorism very differently from how it used to,” he said. “The comparison is very simple. What happened in the Mumbai attacks and what happened in Uri and Balakot... That's a comparison they make. We have a chal- lenge at our China border. They look at these people (India) standing up and sending the troops. They are staying firm...We came under pressure not to buy oil from Russia... India said my interests require that I buy oil and I am not hiding it... We were very open and honest about it... We were very courageous about it. The sense today is that India is a firm country but it is also a fair country," he added. Touching upon India's technological advancements, Mr Jaishankar lauded the nation's rapid digital transformation. “Today if you look at the range, how digitised India has become. How many of you today anymore use cash," he asked, pointing out India's dominance in cashless transactions compared to global counterparts. "We think it is normal, but others don't think that. In India, we do 10-11 billion cashless transactions per month. America does 4 billion in a year... China does a maximum of 20 billion in a year... People today get their income tax, housing allotments, and driving licenses faster... We give passports faster... Digital has cut down corruption because everything is digitally recorded... With transparency, honesty also comes," the external affairs minister said. Discussing the future trajectory, Mr Jaishankar envisioned India as a formidable economic force, poised to surpass the 5 trillion-dollar mark and emerge as the world's third-largest economy. "By the time we reach Amrit Kal, we are confident of minimum being a 30 trillion economy," he declared, outlining ambitious growth targets. Urging the audience to recognise the significance of the Viksit Bharat initiative, he emphasised its pragmatic implications. “Please don't think it is a slogan... It is something very serious,” he affirmed, urging the youth to actively engage in shaping India's trajectory towards development. The EAM also encapsulated the essence of the programme's theme, urging collective effort toward realising the vision of a prosperous and advanced India. "That sense that how do we achieve, how do we prepare for this journey of 25 years? That is really what all of you should focus on," he said, inspiring the next generation to embrace the challenges and opportunities ahead. CMYK official work while on interim bail would have a cascading effect. Hinting that it may consider granting interim bail to Mr Kejriwal in view of the ongoing LS elections, a bench of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta said that if released on bail, Mr Kejriwal would not be attending his office and performing his duties as CM. The court said this while reminding senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Mr Kejriwal, that in the last hearing on May 3, 2024, the bench had asked whether he (Kejriwal) should be signing the files because of his present posi- tion. Mr Singhvi said that it would create a piquant situation “of a government without Chief Minister and a Chief Minister without power.” However, the bench said that Mr Kejriwal attending his office while being on interim bail will have a cascading effect.