West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, accusing the previous regime of political violence, administrative bias, and large-scale corruption, while outlining his government’s commitment to law and order, border security, and administrative reforms.
Referring to allegations of post-poll violence, Adhikari said the Opposition’s claims of being victims rang hollow in light of what he described as years of political persecution during the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) regime.
He alleged that BJP workers had faced widespread intimidation after the 2021 Assembly elections. The Chief Minister also cited the killing of BJP candidate Manas Saha at a counting centre in Magrahat West, to point out the political climate during the previous regime.
Drawing from his own experience, Adhikari claimed that as many as 102 cases had been filed against him by the earlier TMC regime, and that he had been compelled to approach the courts on 104 occasions, to secure permission for political programmes and public events.
The Chief Minister further alleged that several religious and cultural observances, including Ram Navami celebrations, had been obstructed under the previous administration.
Adhikari also questioned a number of decisions taken by the former government, including expenditure related to the Bengal Global Business Summit. He alleged that Rs 324.73 crore had been directly allocated to FICCI in a single year for the summit, raising concerns over transparency and accountability.
In a significant announcement, the Chief Minister said the state government would constitute a committee to review the names of roads and public places in Kolkata. He maintained that roads named after Mughal and Pathan rulers would be reconsidered as part of a broader effort to align public nomenclature with Bengal’s cultural and historical heritage.
On the issue of border security, Adhikari claimed that around 10,000 Bangladeshi infiltrators had been identified so far, while another 1,800 individuals were being housed in 12 holding centres.
He criticised the previous administration for allegedly failing to allocate land required for border infrastructure and announced plans to complete fencing work across nearly 600 kilometres of vulnerable border areas.
The Chief Minister reiterated his government’s zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and organised crime. He announced that a Bill enabling the confiscation of illegally acquired properties would be introduced during the current Assembly session.
He mentioned that assets seized from those involved in corruption would be auctioned, and the proceeds would be directed towards public welfare initiatives. He also suggested that the properties allegedly built with illicit wealth could be repurposed for the rehabilitation of the homeless.
Addressing concerns over law and order, Adhikari assured the House that justice would be pursued in several high-profile cases, including the RG Kar, Hanskhali, Kamduni and the Kasba Law College incidents. He stated that three IPS officers have already been suspended in connection with the RG Kar case.
On the state’s finances, the Chief Minister asserted that revenue collection had improved substantially under his administration.
Citing Birbhum as an example, he claimed that while annual revenue collections earlier stood at around Rs 7 crore, the district has now generated Rs 83 crore in a single month under the present government.
Hitting out at the previous TMC regime, Adhikari invoked Newton’s Third Law, saying that “every action has an equal and opposite reaction,” suggesting that the current political developments were a consequence of past actions by the Mamata Banerjee-led party.
The Chief Minister also accused his rivals of ideological inconsistency and internal disarray, asserting that his government would continue its campaign against corruption, extortion, and criminal networks.
“No innocent person will be harassed,” the Chief Minister said, while reiterating that those involved in corruption, organised crime, and public misconduct would face the full force of the law. “Not a single thief will be spared,” he emphasised.