‘People’s Government, Not Party Government’: CM Suvendu Adhikari After First Cabinet Meeting
The Statesman | 11 May 2026
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday said the newly formed government in West Bengal would move forward on the principles of “good governance, security and cooperative federalism under a double-engine government,” while asserting that the administration would function as “a government for the people, not for any political party.”
Addressing the media after the first Cabinet meeting at Nabanna, the Chief Minister said Bengal had witnessed a “fear-free and peaceful election,” which, according to him, has drawn attention across the country and abroad. He also expressed gratitude to all voters for participating in the democratic process.
Adhikari announced that the state government would take full responsibility for the families of BJP workers who lost their lives in incidents of political violence.
On border security, the Chief Minister said the process of land transfer for the Border Security Force (BSF) would begin immediately. He added that the Chief Secretary has been instructed to complete the necessary procedures within 45 days.
In a major policy announcement, Adhikari said West Bengal has formally joined the Ayushman Bharat scheme from Monday. He further stated that the state would now be linked to all major Central welfare schemes, including Jan Arogya Yojana, Fasal Bima Yojana and Ujala Yojana.
Alleging political obstruction under the previous regime, the Chief Minister claimed that district magistrates had deliberately kept applications under the Ujala scheme pending for political reasons.
He also alleged that West Bengal cadre officers were earlier not being sent for Central training programmes, a practice that would now change under the new administration.
On legal reforms, Adhikari stated that the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) had not been implemented in the state till now. “From today, West Bengal has formally adopted the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,” he said.
The Cabinet also decided to relax the upper age limit for applications to government jobs by five years.
Launching a sharp attack on the previous government, the Chief Minister alleged that several constitutional and administrative processes had been deliberately stalled. “The census-related files had remained unattended. The previous government betrayed the spirit of the Constitution,” he claimed.
He further announced that the pending census circulars would now be implemented and asserted that the BSF would receive all the land required for security purposes. According to him, even the Land and Land Reforms Department had been prevented from functioning properly under the previous regime.
“The previous government not only paralysed administrative functioning but also challenged constitutional norms,” Adhikari alleged.
He, however, clarified that no existing social welfare scheme would be discontinued by the new government. “We are not shutting down any ongoing social schemes. The administration will move towards a completely paperless office system, and the entire process will be transparent,” the Chief Minister said.