FRIDAY 07 JUNE 2024 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR FADNAVIS VILLAIN OF MAHARASHTRA POLITICS: RAUT PERILOUS ALLIANCES P6 SENSEX 75,074.51692.27 WEATHER Generally cloudy sky. Rain / Thundershower very likely to occur. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 36 °C and 26 °C respectively. RAINFALL: Trace RELATIVE HUMIDITY Min. 59 % Max: 37.0°C (+2.5) SUN RISES 04:51 hrs MOON RISES 04:15 hrs Min: 29.9°C (+2.7) SUN SETS 18:19 hrs MOON SETS 18:23 hrs Full Moon on 22 June THUMBNAILS NCP-SCP leader Supriya Sule being fed sweets during the celebration after her victory from Baramati seat in the Lok Sabha elections, in Pune on Thursday.  ANI Kuwait hold India to a goalless draw in Sunil Chhetri's farewell match: Kuwait held India to a goalless draw in Sunil Chhetri's farewell match with the Blue Tigers in the World Cup Qualification game at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium in Kolkata on Thursday. The Blue Tigers dominated the first half of the game by creating plenty of chances but failed to get the back of the net to clinch a victory in skipper Sunil Chhetri's final match. In the second half, the Kuwait side made a comeback in the game but Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu stood tall under the goalpost to stop them. US to send NSA Jake Sullivan to engage with Modi 3.0 govt AGENCIES GOLD 73,420770 ` vs $ 83.24 P12 SILVER 93,5001,800 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 77.770.98 Shortcomings in Agnipath scheme should be discussed, says JDU; offers ‘unconditional’ support to NDA Newly elected NDA MPs to meet today in Central Hall of old Parliament rime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to take oath for his third successive term in office at Rashtrapati Bhavan at 6 p.m. on Sunday, 9 June. The swearing-in ceremony is expected to be attended by foreign dignitaries including Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. There was speculation earlier that the swearing-in ceremony of the new NDA government may take place on Saturday. Political circles on Thursday maintained the ceremony may take place on Sunday now, although there was no official confirmation of the date of the oath-taking ceremony. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is scheduled to hold a meeting of its newly elected MPs in the Central Hall of the old Parliament House building on Friday. The Bangladesh Prime Minister will arrive in India on Friday for the swearingin ceremony and she is expected to hold important consultations also with Mr Modi. Nepal's Prime Minister is also set to attend the P Chandrababu Naidu postpones his oath-taking ceremony to attend Modi’s STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE HYDERABAD, 6 JUNE Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister-in-waiting N Chandrababu Naidu has postponed his oath-taking ceremony to 12 June in order to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi as the prime minister in the national capital. After two decades, the TDP president is once again in the thick of affairs in Delhi and has reportedly demanded the post of Speaker and NDA chairman, apart from key ministries. The TDP chief on Thursday held a meeting with party MPs at his residence in Undavalli while the rest joined him through Zoom. He informed the MPs that he will take oath on 12 June. While he himself would be present at Modi’s swearingin ceremony, Mr Naidu will also invite key BJP leaders for his own oathtaking ceremony at Vijayawada. The 16 newly elected TDP MPs have also been directed to reach the national capital for the NDA meeting on Friday. Meanwhile, former chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has sought the intervention of Governor S Abdul Nazeer following attacks by TDP activists on YSRCP leaders and supporters. swearing-in ceremony of Mr Modi. The Nepal PM had a telephonic conversation with Mr Modi, who extended an invitation to him to attend the ceremony. Mr Dahal confirmed his attendance. Meanwhile, a marathon meeting of senior BJP leaders was held at the residence of party chief JP Nadda to discuss Cabinet formation, sources said. During the meeting, it is learnt, top BJP leaders also discussed the role of alliance partners in the new cabinet. With the BJP falling short of a majority in the Lok Sabha, the NDA allies, particularly JD(U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Telugu Desam Party President N Chandrababu Naidu, are reportedly bargaining hard for crucial ministries at the Centre. Chief Election Commissioner Rajeev Kumar accompanied by Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu met President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday afternoon and submitted to her a copy of the Notification containing names of the Members elected to the House of the People (Lok Sabha) following the General Elections. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 6 JUNE The Janata Dal (United) on Thursday said it had offered unconditional support to the BJP-led NDA in forming a new government but desired that the shortcomings in the Agnipath scheme of short-term military recruitment should be discussed in detail. “A section of voters has been upset over the Agniveer scheme. Our party wants those shortcomings which have been questioned by the public to be discussed in detail and removed,” senior JD(U) leader K C Tyagi (photo) said. Earlier today, the senior JD (U) leaders are believed to have held a meeting with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and party supremo to discuss the formation of the new Narendra Modi-led government. The JD(U) is expecting some key ministries in the new Union Cabinet. The 3rd batch of Agniveer soldiers celebrate after the passing out parade at Gaur Drill Ground in Patna on Tuesday.  ANI The Agnipath Scheme in the Indian Armed Forces is a scheme where selected candidates will be enrolled as “Agniveers” for a fouryear period. Based on organisational requirements and policies promulgated by the Armed Forces, “Agniveers” after completing their engagement period will be offered an opportunity to apply for enrolment in the permanent cadre. Of these upto 25 per cent of Agniveers will be selected to be enrolled in the Armed Forces as a regular cadre. Mr Tyagi also indicated that his party is not against the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) but was of the view that it should be discussed with all stakeholders. "We are not against the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), but we reckon that it should be discussed with all the stakeholders including the states, Chief Ministers and political parties", he said. The JDU leader also advocated a caste census, saying PM Modi was not opposed to it. “A caste census is being demanded by all. Bihar has paved the way for it. Even the Prime Minister did not oppose the caste census, so we will pursue it,” he said. He also spoke on special status for Bihar, which has been a demand of the party and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. “There is no pre-condition. There is unconditional support. But Bihar should be given a special status. That is something which we have in our heart,” he said. The BJP won 240 seats in 18th Lok Sabha elections, with the National Democratic Alliance together standing at 293 seats. Chandrababu Naidu's TDP and Nitish Kumar's JDU are key constituents of the NDA, with 16 and 12 seats respectively. CM to meet newly elected MPs on Saturday at her residence Rahul Gandhi accuses Modi, Shah of misleading investors prior to LS results, demands JPC probe STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 6 JUNE WASHINGTON, 6 JUNE US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan is scheduled to visit India to engage with the new government in New Delhi as Narendra Modi is set to take oath as the Prime Minister for a record third consecutive term, the White House said. Mr Sullivan's visit was discussed when US President Joe Biden spoke to Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday to congratulate him on his reelection. “President Joseph Biden Jr spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India to congratulate him and the National Democratic Alliance on their historic victory in India's general election,” the White House said in a statement. The two leaders stressed their commitment to strengthening the US-India Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership and to advancing their common vision of a free, open and prosperous IndiaPacific region, theWhite House added. President Biden praised the “friendship” between the US and India on X. This was followed by similar congratulatory messages by other senior members of his Biden administration, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken. PM Modi responded to President Biden's post, saying he was happy to receive the call from his "friend". Though Mr Sullivan's visit has been announced, his travel dates to India are yet to be finalised. However, it is expected to be within days of PM Modi taking oath, which is likely to take on 8 June. Besides Biden, Senator Ben Cardin, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also congratulated the Modi administration for conducting the massive elections which saw a turnout of millions in only a few weeks. P10 Modi likely to take oath for 3rd term on Sunday STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 6 JUNE Max. 90 % TEMPERATURE P5 NIFTY 22,530.7042.05 HARDIK REDEEMS HIMSELF AHEAD OF INDIA-PAK TIE CHURNING IN U.P BJP . AFTER HUGE LOSS IN LS ELECTIONS Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee will meet the party’s new MPs at her residence on Saturday. Party’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee who is currently attending meeting of the INDIA block is Delhi will be present at the meeting. Mrs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi today praised Abhishek for his untiring efforts during the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. The Trinamul now has 11 women MPs in the next Lok Sabha as against 30 women MPs of the BJP and 14 of the Congress. The TMC’s new MPs include seven actorturned-politicians including Shatrughan Sinha, Shtabdi Roy, Dipak Adhikari (Dev), June Malliah, Shaoni Ghosh, Rachana Banerjee and Partha Bhowmick. The senior-most MP is Saugata Roy, followed by Sudip Bandyopadhyay. It was learnt that Miss Banerjee will discuss about the strategies the party will follow on the floor of the Parliament and outside. She had said Trinamul will play an important role in the INDIA bloc and will question every action of the Central government. The previous BJP-led NDA had deprived Bengal and did not release money for the MGNREGA job card holders. The state government had cleared their dues and announced that the first instalment of the Awas Plus scheme will be released by 31 December. The new MPs will be given training on the procedures and decorum in Parliament by Trinamul veterans Saugata Roy, Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and Kalyan Banerjee. TMC got 29 out of 42 seats in the Lok Sabha election and this has rejuvenated the party. Miss Banerjee has thanked the people for supporting the Maa Mati Manus government and pledged to fight for the common people. NEW DELHI, 6 JUNE Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of misleading investors by advising them to buy stocks ahead of the Lok Sabha elections results on 4 June, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the matter, and claimed that it caused a loss of Rs 30 lakh crore to the investors. He alleged that this was the biggest ever stock market scam. Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, Mr Gandhi said: “On 13 May, the Home Minister says buy shares before 4 June. This is a clear indication to retail investors and others to buy stock. On 19 May, for the first time the Prime Minister Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, flanked by party leader Jairam Ramesh, addresses a press meet, at AICC HQ on Thursday.  ANI said that the stock market will break records on 4 June. On 1 June, completely fictitious exit polls were released.” Claiming that the investors were given a completely wrong impression, he said: “On 3 June the stock market breaks all records and then crashes on the 4th of June. Investors, especially small ones, lose Rs 30 lakh crore.” Attacking the PM, the Con- gress leader said: “This is a scam and the Prime Minister and Home Minister are directly involved in this. We demand a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to investigate the role of Prime Minister, Home Minister, role of BJP members and also those who have done fake exit polls.” “Why did the Prime Minister and Home Minister give specific investment advice to five crore families investing in the stock markets ? Is it their job to give investment advice to the people? What is the connection between the BJP and the fake exit pollsters and the dubious foreign investors, who invested one day before the exit polls were announced and made huge profits at the cost of five crore families?” he questioned. In response to a question, the Congress leader said: “This is a broader issue than just the Adani issue. It is connected to the Adani issue. This is directly the Prime Minister of India, Home Minister who are privy to data on actual election results that BJP will not get majority were advising retail investors to buy stocks. This has never happened before.” “We are confident that if an investigation is done, interesting things will be revealed,” he added. Kangana slapped at CG Concerns raised over marks inflation 65.79 pc voter turnout airport by CISF constable in NEET; NTA denies irregularities recorded in LS poll: ECI STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE CHANDIGARH, 6 JUNE AGENCIES Actor-turned-politician and newly elected BJP MP from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi, Kangana Ranaut, was on Thursday slapped by a CISF woman constable at Chandigarh airport. The incident took place after the frisking of the MP-elect at the security area. She was at the airport to board a flight to Delhi to attend a BJP meeting. The CISF constable has been identified as Kulwinder Kaur, a native of Punjab. She allegedly slapped Ms Ranaut for her “disrespecting remarks” on farmers of Punjab during the farmers’ agitation against the Centre’s now-repealed farm laws. The constable has since been suspended and an investigation has been launched As a record 67 candidates secured the first All India Rank in NEET UG 2024, including six from the same examination centre, concerns have been raised about inflation of marks, with many aspirants for the medical entrance test taking to social media to demand the cancellation of the results and a re-examination. The National Testing Agency (NTA), however, denied any irregularities, and cited several factors, including an easier examination, a surge in registrations, a question with two correct answers, and grace marks due to a “loss of examination time” as the reasons for the NEET candidates scoring higher marks. A total of 20.38 lakh stu- NEW DELHI, 6 JUNE against her. Meanwhile, Ms Ranaut spoke about the incident in a video statement released shortly after, and raised concerns over alleged surge in “terror and violence” in Punjab. “The woman who worked in security checks hit me in the face and when I asked her why she did this, she said she supports the farmers' protest... I am safe now... But my concern is how do we handle the terror and violence which have been on the rise in Punjab?” she said in the video. The results saw 67 candidates achieving All India Rank 1, including six from the same exam centre dents registered for the exam, out of which 11.45 lakh candidates qualified. The results announced by the NTA on Wednesday evening saw 67 candidates achieving All India Rank (AIR) 1, including six from the same examination centre in Haryana. Following the announcement, concern grew over the record number of toppers and candidates scoring 718 and 719 marks. Social media is abuzz with allegations over "massive irregularities" during the exams and the impact this result will have on cutoff and admissions. CMYK “After the NEET exam, now the NEET result is also in controversy. After the NEET results were declared, questions are being raised on six students from the same centre getting 720 out of 720 marks. Apart from this, many other irregularities related to the NEET exam have also come to light," the Congress party wrote on microblogging site X. "First due to paper leak and now due to result error, the future of lakhs of youth of the country is getting ruined. It is clear that this government cannot get any paper done without leaking it. Sir claims to stop wars in foreign countries but he is unable to even stop paper leaks in the country," the party added. NEET UG 2024 registrations saw an increase of 16.85 per cent this year. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 6 JUNE The Election Commission on Thursday said the overall voter turnout in the Lok Sabha elections, held over seven phases, was 65.79 per cent. In a statement, the ECI said: “Overall, 65.79 per cent voter turnout was recorded in General Elections 2024 at the polling stations. Detailed statistical reports having the number of postal votes and gross voter turnout will be made available on the ECI website after finalisation of details, as received from States/UTs in due course as per standard practice.” Postal Ballots include postal ballots given to service voters, absentee voters (85+, PwD, essential services etc) and voters on election duty, it said. Earlier this week, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar had said a record number of 642 million voters exercised their franchise in the Lok Sabha polls. “We have created a world record with 642 million proud Indian voters casting their vote. This is a historic moment for all of us, for the nation as a whole. This is 1.5 times the number of voters in the G7 countries. It is 2.5 times that of the voters of 27 countries in the EU,” he said at a press conference. The ECI also informed that 63.88 per cent turnout was recorded in the seventh and final phase of the general elections. According to the data of voting in the seventh phase, the female voter turnout outnumbered the male. The female turnout was recorded at 64.72 per cent and male at 63.11 per cent, with third gender turnout at 22.33 per cent.