Bengal Govt working for people, taking along all MLAs: CM Suvendu

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday said the BJP Government in the State is trying to bring transformation in the administration by taking along all MLAs, including the Leader of Opposition, and working for the welfare of people.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of an orientation programme for the newly-elected members of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Adhikari also said that besides the administration, even the Assembly used to function according to the directives from the ruling party’s office earlier.

“Earlier, MPs or MLAs had no honour. They were not even invited to events by the BDOs and DMs. No invitation was sent to me for even administrative meetings. I was suspended from the Assembly five times. In all important Assembly sessions, I was suspended,” he said. Besides the administration, even the Assembly used to function according to the directives from the ruling party’s office, Adhikari said, without taking the name of the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) Government in the State headed by Mamata Banerjee.

Before becoming the chief minister, Adhikari was the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly from 2021 to 2026. But now, the chief minister said, he is trying to bring changes in all spheres of the administration as well as give more responsibilities to the MPs and MLAs.

He said now all MLAs and MPs, irrespective of their parties, would get an invitation from the administration for all events and meetings.

“I am taking along all MLAs irrespective of the party. We are working together with the Leader of the Opposition, too,” he said. Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Ritabrata Banerjee, was sitting on the dais when Adhikari spoke.

Ritabrata Banerjee is the leader of the rebel TMC MLAs. The breakaway faction has claimed the party’s name, flag, symbol and control of its funds.

Adhikari said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Government in West Bengal wants to strengthen democracy in the State and make the Assembly the best in the country. He said live telecast of the Assembly proceedings has already started, Assembly activities will be fully digitised, and other infrastructure of the House will be strengthened.

“The Assembly will be people-oriented. In the coming days, Bengal will shine again,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Ritabrata Banerjee said democracy always defeats fascism and autocracy. Democracy strengthens people’s rights and people’s voice, he said.