kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Kolkata, June 23: The West Bengal Legislative Assembly after assuming office following the dramatic political change in the 2026 Assembly elections, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari delivered a strongly worded speech targeting former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the opposition camp. Speaking on the floor of the Assembly, Adhikari declared that the political chapter of the previous regime had come to an end and asserted that the opposition would not be able to return to power. At the same time, he assured the House that his government would not obstruct democratic protests or political activities carried out by opposition parties. Referring to a recent request by the former Chief Minister for a demonstration venue, he stated that while permission had not been granted for Rani Rashmoni Avenue, the government had approved a gathering at the Y-Channel area of Dharmatala. In a direct political jibe, he remarked that the opposition was free to organize rallies every day but would not return to power.

The Chief Minister also focused extensively on the issue of illegal immigration and border security. He claimed that approximately 10,000 alleged infiltrators had already been identified and pushed back across the border. According to him, another 1,800 individuals were currently being held at twelve holding centres awaiting further action. Adhikari stated that those not covered under the provisions of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) would face removal proceedings. He described the issue as a matter of state security and reiterated his government's commitment to strict enforcement measures.

The Chief Minister further declared that government welfare schemes funded by taxpayers' money would be reserved exclusively for Indian citizens. He stated that benefits such as Annapurna Bhandar assistance, old-age pensions, and unemployment allowances would be available only to eligible Indian residents. He also promised greater employment opportunities for local youth and improvements in educational infrastructure. According to him, no alleged illegal entrant would be allowed to avail of these public benefits.

Continuing his remarks on border management, Adhikari said that individuals identified as illegal infiltrators would be handed over directly to the Border Security Force rather than being accommodated within the prison system. He claimed that some people had already fled through border areas and announced plans to coordinate with the BSF to strengthen fencing along vulnerable stretches of the international border. He emphasized that genuine patriots, irrespective of religion, had nothing to fear from these measures.

Turning to the political atmosphere of recent years, the Chief Minister rejected allegations that the opposition was currently being targeted and instead referred to incidents of violence following the 2021 Assembly elections. He alleged that the events that occurred during that period would not be acceptable in any civilized society. Adhikari cited the deaths of political workers and referred to cases filed during the previous administration. He claimed that 57 workers from his party had been killed after the 2021 elections and contrasted the number of FIRs filed then with figures from the most recent electoral period.

Recalling his own experiences under the previous government, Adhikari alleged that he had repeatedly faced political harassment. He said that he had been removed from the Assembly on multiple occasions, kept out of the House for nearly eleven months, and faced more than one hundred legal cases. He also referred to incidents in which, according to him, he was prevented from entering certain areas without court permission. Despite these allegations, he stated that his administration would not pursue a policy of political revenge. He maintained that opposition leaders continued to be invited to administrative review meetings and that democratic norms would be respected.

The Chief Minister indicated that his government was considering significant changes to the naming of roads and public places in Kolkata. He said a special committee would be formed to review existing names and recommend changes where necessary. According to Adhikari, names associated with Mughal or Pathan rulers would be reconsidered, while exceptions would be made for figures such as Sister Nivedita. He also raised allegations regarding financial decisions taken during the previous administration, including claims related to funding provided to the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

The Chief Minister concluded his speech with a series of political remarks aimed at both opposition and Left leaders. Criticizing ideological positions adopted by some communist leaders in the past, he referred to debates surrounding cultural and literary figures and accused certain political groups of disrespecting national icons. In a final sarcastic comment directed at his opponents, he invoked a popular film dialogue and suggested that those who once projected confidence and defiance had ultimately abandoned the political battlefield.

The speech marked one of the most significant moments of the new administration’s opening legislative session, offering a clear indication of the government's priorities on governance, border security, welfare distribution, political accountability, and cultural policy in the years ahead.