Kolkata: Suvendu Adhikari was on Friday unanimously elected the BJP legislative party leader at a meeting of newly elected MLAs in the presence of Union home minister Amit Shah , paving the way for him to become Bengal’s ninth chief minister.
Making the announcement after a 30-minute closed-door meeting with the MLAs, Shah said, “Eight proposals were received at the meeting and all of them had only one name. BJP seniors said this is also a personal validation for Shah, who was instrumental in bringing Adhikari from Trinamool to BJP in 2020. Therefore, I announce Suvendu Adhikari as the chief minister of Bengal.
Adequate time was given for a second name, but no other name was proposed. He added, “I have known Suvendu for long. He is a fighter and has been in administration, too. He, along with our team, will be successful in delivering good governance in Bengal.
He has fought, and his fight has brought results today.
But our motto should be to walk on a path of development so that we can raise our vote share from 46% to 60%.
Adhikari, who asked his partymen “not to become complacent,” said, “This time, people of Bengal have blessed us with their mandate. “From Sandeshkhali to RG Kar, there will be fresh commissions for all such cases,” he said. Setting out the ideological framework of the incoming administration, Adhikari said the govt will draw inspiration from Swami Vivekananda’s philosophy along with PM Modi’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”.
He added that the new govt will honour all promises made during the election campaign and indicated that several high-profile controversies under the outgoing administration will be revisited. Adhikari also warned of strict action against alleged corruption and misuse of public resources under the previous govt.
The swearing-in ceremony will be held at Brigade Parade Grounds at 10 am Saturday and will be attended by PM Narendra Modi , senior Union ministers and CMs of NDA-goverened states.
Declaring that the new govt under Adhikari will work to fulfill the dream of “Sonar Bangla”, Shah said the new govt’s focus will be on development, infrastructure and good governance. Shortly after the announcement, Adhikari met governor RN Ravi and staked claim to form the next govt.