'First Name On TMC List…': What BJP Said About Nomination Of Ex-Minister Linked To SSC Scam

Last Updated:March 17, 2026, 21:16 IST

The BJP said this is nothing short of a mockery of those who suffered the consequences of the alleged teacher recruitment scam in West Bengal

The BJP launched a scathing attack on the Trinamool Congress, soon after the ruling party released its candidate list for the upcoming West Bengal assembly election.

Pointing out that the first name on the TMC list is that of a former minister linked to the high-profile SSC scandal, the BJP said this is nothing short of a mockery of those who suffered the consequences of the alleged teacher recruitment scam.

The BJP alleged that Paresh Adhikari, who is a TMC veteran and former education minister, was embroiled in the  scandal by way of his daughter’s appointment as a teacher. He is all set to contest from the reserved Mekliganj constituency in the border district of Cooch Behar.

“First name on the Trinamool Congress list: Paresh Adhikari, former Education Minister of West Bengal. His daughter, Ankita Adhikari, secured a teaching job through the SSC scam. In 2022, the Calcutta High Court cancelled her appointment and ordered her to return the salary she had drawn," BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya posted on X.

Malviya said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee removed him from the cabinet as a “face saver". “Within weeks, Mamata Banerjee removed Paresh Adhikari from the cabinet as a face saver. Today, placing his name at the very top of the list is nothing short of a mockery of the victims of the SSC scam," he said.

While Adhikari’s name may feature at the top of the list, this could also be because his constituency, Mekliganj (SC) in Cooch Behar district, holds the numerical distinction of being the first seat (Seat No 1) in the state legislative assembly. The TMC’s decision to field him, however, can definitely be viewed as controversial and risky.

The alleged teacher recruitment scam has been one of the most politically sensitive topics in the state, especially with the opposition BJP’s corruption allegations against the Mamata Banerjee-led government.

WHAT IS THE CONTROVERSY?

Adhikari’s daughter, Ankita Adhikari, was illegally appointed as a teacher in a government-aided school.

This was despite the fact that Ankita’s name had not appeared on the initial merit list. She, however, secured a position while qualified candidates were overlooked.

The legal repercussions were swift, with the Calcutta High Court cancelling her appointment and ordering her to return the entirety of the salary she had drawn during her tenure. In the wake of growing public outcry, Banerjee removed Adhikari from his post as education minister in August 2022.

WHO IS PARESH ADHIKARI?

Paresh Adhikari is a veteran political figure with deep roots in North Bengal, specifically within the Cooch Behar district.

Adhikari’s political journey began long before his association with the TMC. He was a long-time leader of the All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) and served as the food minister during the Left Front government from 2006 to 2011.

In 2018, he switched to the TMC. At the time, his defection was seen as a major coup for Mamata Banerjee, providing the party with a “heavyweight face" in North Bengal to counter the BJP’s surging influence in the region.

Despite his established reputation as an influential leader with a deep-rooted local network in Mekliganj, from where he has been nominated this time, his career was severely marred by the teacher recruitment scandal.

News elections 'First Name On TMC List…': What BJP Said About Nomination Of Ex-Minister Linked To SSC Scam

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