Abhishek Banerjee, general secretary of the Trinamool Congress, on Saturday raised concerns over what he described as a “disturbing shift” in West Bengal’s administrative and social landscape following recent changes after the announcement of elections, warning of implications for governance and public order.
In a message shared on his WhatsApp channel, Banerjee criticised what he termed “unprecedented” administrative reshuffles carried out by the Election Commission of India soon after poll dates were declared.
He highlighted that several senior officials including the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Director General of Police, top police officers, district magistrates, and the Kolkata Police Commissioner had been replaced.
“This is the kind of ‘Parivartan’ the BJP seeks to impose on the soil of Bengal,” Banerjee said, questioning both the intent and timing of the sweeping changes.
He further alleged that developments on the ground since then have been “even more disturbing,” pointing to reports of unrest and intimidation.
“In the shadow of these changes, there are increasing reports of intimidation, where shops are being vandalised, tensions are being stoked in the name of religion, and ordinary people are being made to suffer,” he said.
Taking aim at what he called the “bulldozer model” of governance—often used in political discourse to criticise strict enforcement measures in BJP-ruled states—Banerjee added, “We don’t need a ‘bulldozer model’. We don’t need imported politics of hatred and violence.”
Emphasising Bengal’s cultural ethos, he underscored traditions of communal harmony and shared social life. “It’s the para culture, the adda, the festivals we celebrate together, and the respect we have for each other’s beliefs. That’s our identity,” he said.
Banerjee noted that the state has long celebrated festivals such as Durga Puja, Diwali, Poila Boishakh, Eid, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Buddha Purnima, and Christmas together “without fear, without division, and without violence,” but cautioned that recent developments suggest a shift away from this legacy.
Invoking Bengal’s intellectual heritage, he referred to Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekananda, saying the state has historically stood for “tolerance, harmony, and coexistence.”
“For decades, Bengal has been a living example of unity in diversity. Today, that very social fabric appears under strain,” he said, adding, “The question is: who benefits from this disruption, and at what cost to the people of Bengal?”
The remarks come amid heightened political activity in West Bengal ahead of elections, with parties increasingly sparring over administrative decisions and the broader law-and-order situation during the poll period.