madurai l friday l march 20, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 14 l late city EDITION 14% of rajya sabha lawmakers are billionaires: adr report Around 14 per cent of Rajya Sabha MPs are billionaires, according to a report released on Friday by Association for Democratic Reforms six bjp, five inc MPs have OVER `100 CR EACH brs mp is richest, aap mp poorest The report is based on an analysis of affidavits of 229 out of 233 Rajya Sabha MPs. The report said 31 MPs (14 per cent) having a net worth of billions of rupees. Among major parties, six BJP MPs, five Congress MPs, four YSRCP MPs, two AAP MPs, two BRS MPs, and three NCP MPs have declared assets exceeding `100 crore ■ Among major parties, the average assets per MP is `28.29 crore for BJP, `128.61 crore for Congress, `17.7 crore for TMC, `574 crore for AAP ■ BRS MP Bandi Partha Saradhi has declared the highest assets at over `5,300 crore, followed by AAP’s Rajinder Gupta with over `5,053 crore; AAP MP Sant Balbir Singh is the poorest with `3 lakh in assets `27,638 cr is the The total asset of 229 sitting MPs CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI Deadline looms Parties in TN & Pondy scramble to complete seat-share deals Crude shock as oil spikes Price soars to $113 a barrel after Iran’s retaliatory strike on Qatar gas infra BSE Sensex E x p ress ne w s S er v i ce @ Chennai With only four days left for filing of nominations to conclude in Puducherry and just 10 days left for the nomination process to start in Tamil Nadu, intense political drama is unfolding in both the regions. All major parties are hard pressed for time to finalise the seat-sharing arrangement in their alliances while ensuring best deals for themselves. In the NDA, where the formal alliance talks remained a nonstarter for long, AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palanswami, the leader of the alliance in Tamil Nadu, flew to Delhi on Thursday to meet with Union Home Minister and BJP’s chief strategist Amit Shah to finalise the seats. He is expected to meet Shah late Thursday night. While a few DMK leaders were critical of Palaniswami’s visit, terming it as yet another indication of BJP being the true “master” of the alliance, things are far from settled in the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance in Tamil Nadu as the ruling party is trying hard to keep its long-term allies happy. As CPM remains firm on getting at least six seats, it is learnt that CM and DMK president MK Stalin personally reached out to VCK with a request to relax its seat demand. Meanwhile, in Puducherry, DMK and Congress are yet to finalise their seat-sharing agreement. Meanwhile, speculation is rife whether the NDA will remain intact in the Union Territory as the BJP-ally AINRC’s Chief Minister N Rangasamy took off on a series of temple visits while the national party’s emissary and Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya was cooling his heels in Puducherry on Thursday with the hope of negotiating with him.  MORE REPORTS: P4 74,750.92 75,354.18 74,207.24 Energy pain Crude oil climbed to $118.62 a barrel after Iranian hits on Saudi, Qatar energy sites $118.62 $120.00 $117.50 73,950.96 $115.00 Previous close: 76,704.13 $112.50 -2,496.89 (-3.26%) Social media image of the Haifa oil refinery that was hit by missile fragments from an Iranian salvo on Thursday | X R A K E S H K U M A R @ New Delhi GLOBAL crude oil prices surged on Thursday after Iran bombed a Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG hub, as a retaliatory strike against Israel’s attack on Iran’s South Pars gas field on Wednesday. Brent crude rose around 6% on Thursday to touch $113.6 per barrel. Hinting at more escalation, Iran threatened further attacks if its energy infrastructure was hit again. The situation has raised concerns for India, which depends on energy imports from West Asia as 90% of the country’s day LPG imports and 47% of LNG imports come from this region, with Qatar being a key supplier. Ras Laffan is one of the world’s largest natural gas processing hubs operated by QatarEnergy Iran’s attack on . it triggered a major fire and forced production halts. Qatar’s foreign ministry said most incoming missiles were intercepted, but one hit the facility. QatarEnergy CEO Saad al-Kaabi said the attacks damaged infrastructure accounting for 17% of Qatar’s LNG export capacity with re, pairs expected to take years. Underscoring the implications for India, Sujata Shar- 20 Open 09:00 ma, joint secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said: “Any disruption in Middle East directly impacts us. The key question is how we deal with such risks. We are addressing this through diversification of supply sources. For crude oil, we have already diversified significantly—about 70% of our crude now comes from regions outside the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Similarly, for LPG, we are expanding sourcing beyond traditional suppliers. For LNG, we are also sourcing from US and Australia.” I n d i a ’s L N G supplies were already under pressure after Qatar declared force majeure on some deliveries. Industry analysts say it could take months to fully restore gas production at affected facilities. While India can diversify LNG imports, higher transportation costs may push up prices. Despite rising crude prices, the government has said there will be no immediate increase in petrol and diesel prices. The crude shock has also spooked equity markets, with equity investors’ wealth eroding by `12.87 lakh crore on Thursday as BSE Sensex tanked 3.2%. Close 15:00 Day’s developments Govt secures additional gas for urea plants via spot auction; output to rise by 13,000 tonnes a day Pentagon seeks `200 billion in additional funds for the Iran war Hegseth says all 11 Iran submarines taken out Missile fragments from Iran salvo hits Haifa oil refinery, damage minor, says Israel minister Qatar calls energy plant strikes ‘dangerous escalation’ Europe, Japan say they would act to stabilise energy markets and join “appropriate efforts” to open Strait of Hormuz $113.60 Attack on infra unacceptable, says India J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi CALLING the escalating attacks on energy infrastructure in West Asia ‘deeply disturbing’, India on Thursday pushed for urgent de-escalation even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi worked the phones to contain the crisis centred around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy and trade. “India had previously called for the avoidance of targeting civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure. Recent attacks are deeply disturbing and only serve to further destabilise an already uncertain energy scenario for the whole world. Such attacks are unacceptable,” said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson, External Affairs Ministry . Modi, in multiple conversations with world leaders, stressed diplomacy as the only viable path forward. “We agreed on the need to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy for de-escalation and restoration of peace,” he said after speaking with Sultan of Oman. In his call with French President Emmanuel Macron, Modi highlighted the “urgent need for de-escalation. “India and France are working to reduce tensions in the region and to keep diplomacy at the heart of our efforts for peace,” Macron later said. After speaking to Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Modi said on X. “Attacks on energy infrastructure are condemnable and can lead to avoidable escalation.” Jaiswal confirmed that disruptions in the Strait have begun to impact supplies. Serial offender nabbed for rape and murder of Thoothukudi minor E x p ress ne w s ser v i ce @ Thoothukudi Ten days after the murder of a 17-year-old girl, Thoothukudi police on Thursday arrested a 38-year-old history sheeter for the crime based on CCTV footage collected from a private windmill. The accused, M Dharma Muneeswaran of Sayalkudi, who was out on bail in an earlier rape and murder case, allegedly sexually assaulted and killed the Class 12 girl on March 10 before fleeing the spot, Thoothukudi SP C Madhan told reporters on Thursday . Police sources said the suspect is a serial offender with at least 20 criminal cases — including murder, sexual offences, and theft — pending against him. Muneeswaran was arrested in 2022 for the sexual assault and murder of a 65-year-old woman in Ettayapuram police limits, and was convicted in 2024. After three years in jail, he was given bail in December 2025 by the Madurai Bench of the Madras HC in an appeal filed by him with the condition to report to Thoothukudi mahila court every day A . police officer said the suspect was secured by a special police team when he came to sign the register at the mahila court on Thursday The accused has con. fessed to the crime, police said. Speaking to reporters, the SP said that the CCTV footage collected from the windmill located 1.5 km from the crime scene gave the breakthrough in the probe. A suspicious stolen two-wheeler led the police to Muneeswaran, sources said. The culprit is the sole accused in the murder case.  P5 Victim’s family has agreed to receive girl’s body As the victim’s famiy has agreed to receive the girl’s body kept at the Thoothukudi Government Medical College and Hospital on Friday. Multiple protests have been held for past 10 days Assembly elections Vaithilingam dmk’s pick in Thanjai seat? I P6 Compromised on seats to defeat BJP: Cpi secy I P6 Chakraborty later told the media that his resignation was Hours after the sudden resig- a routine af fair, without nation of HDFC Bank’s part- elaborating. time chair man Atanu During the analyst call, inChakraborty rattled markets terim chairman Keki Mistry and investors alike, the Re- said the board and manageserve Bank of India ment are completely (RBI) on Thursday cohesive and united, said the second largest emphasising that bank remains finanthere has never been cially sound, well-capany kind of discussion italised and adequateon any matter contenly liquid, with no tious in terms of govconcerns on governernance at the board Atanu urged level. He highlighted ance or conduct. In his resignation to reconsider that strong oversight letter, Chakraborty mechanisms are in HDFC MD and had flagged concerns CEO S Jagdishan place through indeover “certain practic- said Chakraborty pendent board comes at the bank that mittees which oversee has been asked were not in congru- to reconsider his key areas such as risk ence” with his personmanagement, complidecision, al values and ethics. elaborate on his ance, and audit. RBI said it has tak“What caused that concerns and en note of recent deletter to be sent today rework parts of velopments at the is something which, his letter bank and approved a really to my mind, de, transitional arrangefies logic,” Mistry ment for the position of part- said, adding that any minor istime chairman, adding that it sues are addressed promptly will continue to engage with with clear timelines. He had the bank’s management on the earlier alluded to a possible way forward. personal issue behind This comes amid market tur- Chakraborty’s abrupt exit but bulence following the top-tier declined to elaborate. Market exit. Shares of HDFC Bank sources say Chakraborty has a plunged 5.11% to `798 at close. tussle with the bank’s CEO. d i pak mon d a l @New Delhi E x p r e s s Re a d NTK manifesto promises five captials for TN Chennai: Five capital cities in Tamil Nadu and free education, healthcare and drinking water for all were among the promises made by the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) in its 400-page manifesto for the April 23 Assembly polls released on Thursday. Chief coordinator Seeman also said his party will not give any freebies | P4 42 illegal resorts sealed in STR, TN tells HC Chennai: The state government has informed the Madras HC that 42 illegal resorts operating in the eco-sensitive zone of Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) have been locked and sealed after the resorts were found to be functioning without valid permission. Fifty-three resorts were located within the eco-sensitive zone, TN told the court | P2 Shed Chinese drone components in mission mode: Rajnath to industry J a v ar i a R ana @ New Delhi CCTV clip gave breakthrough in probe, say cops The SP said that the CCTV footage collected from the windmill located 1.5 km from the crime scene gave the breakthrough in the probe. A stolen bike led the special team to Muneeswaran $110.00 March 19 RBI says all’s well at HDFC Bank, but shares slip 5% Ram point President Droupadi Murmu performs puja at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya on Thursday, as UP Governor Anandiben and spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi look on. Murmu also installed a Ram Yantra at the temple. She later said, “bowing before Ram and paying homage to Mother India are the same” | PTI With Chinese components deeply embedded in drone supply chains worldwide, defence minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday made a strong pitch for India to urgently indigenise production and wean itself off such dependencies. Speaking at the National Defence Industries Conclave in New Delhi, he said lessons from ongoing conflicts have underscored the growing centrality of drones and counter-drone systems in modern warfare. Indigenisation, he said, must extend beyond the platform level to the entire component ecosystem. “India must move in mis- sion mode to become a global hub for indigenous drone manufacturing,” he added. The presence of such parts in drones operating along the sensitive northern and eastern borders has long been a source of anxiety within the defence establishment. In 2024, an Army drone operating near the From moulds and software to engines and batteries, every element must be produced in India... Most drone-producing countries still depend on critical imports from China Rajnath Singh northern borders was reportedly hijacked by Pakistan, with the vulnerability traced to a Chinese-made autopilot system used for navigation. The Army Design Bureau had submitted a comprehensive framework to the defence ministry last year to phase out Chinese-origin components in UAVs. Sources said the proposal has been under review for nearly a year and is expected to be rolled out soon, likely before May It is also set . to be incorporated into the updated Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2026. TN panel on centre-state relations to file report in three parts Prabhakar Tam i l arasu @ Chennai The three-member committee headed by former Supreme Court Judge Kurian Joseph appointed by Tamil Nadu government to examine centre-state relations has decided to file its report in three volumes instead of two parts as decided earlier by incorporating contemporary issues such as digital governance. The tenure of the panel may also be extended by six to seven months, sources said. Speaking to TNIE, retired IAS officer and former ViceChancellor of Maritime University Ashok Vardhan Shetty one , , of the members of the panel, said that it has been decided to expand the report from the initially planned 24 chapters to 30. “We decided that the earlier terminology of interim and final report was not appropriate. Instead, we will bring out a trilogy, like three parts with 10 chapters each,” Shetty said. Part One of the report, published in February according to , Focus on new areas of governance Two volumes will cover emerging areas such as climate change, digital governance, and local government structures, which the earlier commissions did not address Shetty deals with the controver, sial issues in the federal framework including the role of governors, language policy education, , healthcare and the GST. “The remaining two volumes will cover emerging areas such as climate change, digital governance, and local government structures, which the earlier commissions did not fully address. The three-part report will be the most comprehensive contemporary review of India’s federal architecture,” Shetty said. The committee, which was scheduled to submit its findings within two years by May 2027, has informed the Tamil Nadu government that its work is likely to continue until December 2027. The committee has decided to go beyond the suggestions and findings of the previous commissions on centre-state relations including the Sarkaria Commission and the Punchhi Commission. While the previous commissions took three to five years to complete fewer chapters, the current panel aims to explore more subjects but deliver the report in three parts within a tight deadline of less than three years.  P5