Suvendu Adhikari to Hold Key Malda Division Review Meet on June 10 Amid Political Buzz
The Statesman | 30 May 2026
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is scheduled to hold a major administrative review meeting involving four districts under the Malda Division at English Bazar town in Malda district on 10 June.
Following the official announcement of the meeting, administrative preparations have already begun across the four districts — Malda, Murshidabad, Uttar Dinajpur and Dakshin Dinajpur. Senior officials have started compiling detailed status reports on various government schemes, ongoing development projects and administrative performances for presentation during the review meeting.
Political and administrative circles are treating the meeting as highly significant, particularly because of the socio-economic and law-and-order sensitivities associated with Malda and Murshidabad districts, both having large minority populations.
Officials pointed out that during the final phase of the previous government, communal disturbances in parts of Malda and Murshidabad had turned the law-and-order situation sensitive. However, after the formation of the new government, no major untoward incident was reported in the two districts during the recent Eid celebrations, largely due to heightened administrative vigilance and proactive policing.
Simultaneously, political activities surrounding the Chief Minister’s proposed visit have intensified. Political observers recalled that during his tenure in the Trinamul Congress, Suvendu Adhikari had played a key organisational role in strengthening the party in several districts. Later, as Leader of the Opposition, he emerged as one of the principal architects of the BJP’s organisational expansion in north Bengal.
The political significance of Malda district remains evident from the present Assembly arithmetic where the district’s 12 Assembly constituencies are evenly divided between the BJP and the Trinamul Congress, with six MLAs each.
Speaking to journalists, North Malda MP Khagen Murmu described the upcoming administrative meeting as “extremely important” for preparing a comprehensive roadmap for regional development. He alleged that during the previous Trinamul regime, opposition representatives were often sidelined in administrative meetings. “That political culture will not return now. This time, both the administration and elected representatives, including opposition leaders, will participate fully,” he said.
Political discussions have also intensified over whether South Malda Congress MP Isha Khan Choudhury will attend the meeting and what demands he may place before the new government if he participates.
Business and trade organisations in Malda are expected to place several key development demands before the Chief Minister. Among the major issues likely to be raised are infrastructure development for the district’s silk industry, expansion of agro-based industries, horticulture development for mango , silk industry and long-standing demands for airport development in the region.
Trade bodies have also renewed demands for large-scale modernisation of the Mahadipur Immigration Check Post along the Indo-Bangladesh border in Malda district. Business associations have reportedly urged the government to adopt a development model similar to the infrastructural expansion undertaken at Fulbari in Jalpaiguri district.
Tourism development centred around the historic city of Gaur is also expected to figure prominently during the meeting. Business groups and tourism stakeholders are advocating integrated development of the historic belt adjoining the Mahadipur border region.
Meanwhile, political observers believe that the meeting may also address the continuing crisis of riverbank erosion caused by the Ganga in both Malda and Murshidabad districts. Questions are likely to be raised regarding how the state government plans to coordinate with the Centre on long-term anti-erosion measures.
Another major demand expected to surface is the full operationalisation of the second bridge near the Farakka Barrage connecting Malda and Murshidabad districts.
Attention is now focused on what policy announcements and administrative decisions the Chief Minister may unveil following the 10 June review meeting.