West Bengal

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Siliguri, June 6: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Siliguri, Shankar Ghosh, has long been known for his simple lifestyle. Even after being elevated to the rank of a cabinet minister, he remains hesitant to avail himself of the various facilities and privileges that come with the position.

Shankar Ghosh, who was once known for travelling through the lanes and bylanes of Siliguri on his white scooter while serving as a municipal councillor, has largely maintained the same lifestyle even after entering higher political office. During the period when the Left Front governed the Siliguri Municipal Corporation, he was appointed as a Member of the Mayor-in-Council (MMIC). Although he was offered an official vehicle after assuming that responsibility, he reportedly declined the facility and returned the vehicle.

Later, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party and was elected as an MLA from Siliguri on a BJP ticket in the 2021 Assembly elections. Even after becoming a legislator, he did not alter his daily routine and continued to move around the city on the same scooter. Following his re-election with significant public support in the 2026 Assembly elections, he was inducted into the state government with cabinet rank. However, the new position has also brought mandatory security arrangements, including an official vehicle, personal security personnel, and a 24-hour police picket outside his residence.

Shankar Ghosh is reportedly uncomfortable embracing what he describes as a VIP culture. He has expressed reservations about having a permanent police picket at his home and has also indicated that he does not believe he requires personal security guards or an official vehicle. However, police and intelligence agencies have made it clear that security protocols become mandatory once an individual assumes ministerial office.

It may be recalled that in 2023, after he protested against the alleged rape and murder of a schoolgirl in Kaliaganj, he reportedly received death threats through social media. In another incident, he was attacked while distributing flood relief in Nagrakata, suffering a fractured arm. More recently, a large group of toto drivers staged a demonstration outside his residence on Hill Cart Road over demands related to operating permissions, further highlighting concerns regarding his security.

Shankar Ghosh is expected to return to Siliguri on Sunday, and the police have indicated that they are unwilling to compromise on his security arrangements. A senior police officer stated that, under the law, a minister is entitled to a specified level of security and that all necessary protection will be provided accordingly.

The minister himself appears somewhat uneasy with the changes that accompany his new position. “For years I have moved around like an ordinary citizen. If I suddenly start travelling with sirens and official escorts, what will people think?” he remarked. He also expressed concern that strict VIP protocols might create a sense of distance between him and the common people.

It now remains to be seen how Shankar Ghosh, whose public image has long been associated with simplicity and accessibility, adapts to the responsibilities and security requirements that come with his new role as a cabinet minister.