‘Never since Independence has Bengal fared so poorly under any CM’: Suvendu

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday launched a scathing attack on his predecessor Mamata Banerjee, claiming that the state had “never since Independence fared so poorly under any Chief Minister”.

Adhikari called on the newly elected legislators to work together to restore the state’s democratic institutions and legislative traditions.

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Speaking at the inaugural session of a two-day orientation programme for newly elected members of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, he underlined that his intention was not to make political attacks but simply place the facts before the first-time legislators.

“I will not say negative things, but I want to place the facts before you. Never since Independence has Bengal fared so poorly under any Chief Minister,” he said.

The Chief Minister alleged that during the Left Front’s 34-year rule, key decisions were taken outside the Assembly.

“For 34 years, everything happened according to the party office’s directives. Nothing happened from the Assembly,” he said.

He claimed the situation deteriorated further during the subsequent 15 years, but softened the blow saying that he does not intend to dwell on political criticism in the presence of Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee.

“We are moving together. We want to make Bengal stand on its feet now,” Adhikari said.

Recalling the Assembly’s historic role during the Partition of India in 1947, he said the House had voted in favour of West Bengal remaining with India after Syama Prasad Mookerjee argued the case before legislators.

“Bengal’s future was decided in this very Assembly. We must acknowledge that history and uphold its legacy,” he emphasised.

Addressing the newly elected MLAs, Adhikari urged them to make full use of the orientation programme.

“Many of you have been elected for the first time. You have to learn, and these two days are meant for that learning,” he said.

Drawing on his own experience as an MLA since 2006 and as Leader of Opposition, Adhikari alleged that Opposition legislators were denied due respect under previous administrations.

“I was Leader of the Opposition for five years and was suspended from the Assembly five times, before almost every Budget and important session,” he said.

He also claimed that district officials and police officers often ignored elected representatives from the Opposition and that they were excluded from official government functions.

“Elections are about political contests. Governance is different. That is not the way democracy should function,” he said.

Contrasting the present administration with the past, Adhikari said MLAs from all parties were now invited to administrative meetings and Budget discussions.

“I call every MLA, including those from the Opposition, to my administrative meetings and Budget discussions. We want to build Bengal together,” he said.

Adhikari also highlighted West Bengal’s strategic location, industrial base, educational institutions, natural resources and transport network, describing the state as the gateway to the North East as well as Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.

“We have every resource needed for development. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we must strengthen democracy, reinforce the parliamentary system and make Bengal great once again,” he said.

The two-day orientation programme, inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, has been organised jointly by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE), under the Lok Sabha Secretariat, and the West Bengal Legislative Assembly to familiarise first-time legislators with parliamentary procedures and legislative functioning.