From LoP To CM: Suvendu Adhikari Signals Administrative Reset, Assures 'Fear-Free' Governance

Last Updated:May 11, 2026, 21:17 IST

Adhikari said he would avoid making “unwanted comments” and emphasised that everyone in the system would be free to work independently within the framework of law and procedure.

In his first Cabinet meeting as West Bengal Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari positioned himself as an administrator focused on governance, institutional functioning and bureaucratic confidence-building. He instructed ministers and officials in what several attendees described as a “captain’s role" for the state administration.

Addressing the media after the meeting on Monday, Adhikari said he was now the “Chief Minister of all parties and all people" and would function accordingly. He also stated that he would avoid making “unwanted comments" and emphasised that everyone in the system would be free to work independently within the framework of law and procedure.

Standing alongside his five-member Cabinet, he said the new government would function on the principles of “good governance, security and double-engine governance" while following the ideals of BR Ambedkar and the Constitution.

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Cabinet Clears 6 Key Decisions

The Cabinet took six major decisions during its first meeting. These included initiating the process of handing over land to the BSF for fencing unfenced border areas, implementing multiple pending Central welfare schemes in West Bengal, deputing bureaucrats for Central training programmes, formulating rules under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and approving support measures for families of deceased BJP workers.

The Chief Minister thanked voters, the Election Commission, opposition parties and candidates for what it called as a “fear-free and violence-free election without deaths."

Tribute was also paid to 321 BJP workers whose “sacrifices," the party said, contributed to its rise to power. The government stated that justice would be pursued in all such cases and assistance provided to affected families.

The Cabinet approved the process for transferring land to the BSF, citing demographic and border security concerns. Officials said the transfer process would begin immediately and be completed within 45 days.

Several Central Schemes Rolled Out

West Bengal was also brought under several Central schemes from Monday, including Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana and Ujjwala Yojana.

The CM claimed that 8.65 lakh Vishwakarma applications and applications linked to nearly one crore women under Ujjwala had not been forwarded to the Centre by the previous administration. Adhikari also announced that rules under the BNS would now be framed, alleging that the previous government had failed to do so.

Another key decision included a five-year relaxation in the upper age limit for recruitment applicants, with the government claiming that no major recruitment had taken place in the state since 2015. Work on the Census-related circular issued by the Registrar General’s Office in June 2025 will also begin immediately.

The Cabinet portfolios were distributed as follows:

• Dilip Ghosh — Panchayat and Animal Resources Development
• Ashok Kirtaniya — Food Department
• Khudiram Tudu — Backward Classes Welfare
• Agnimitra Paul — Women and Child Welfare, Urban Development
• Nisith Pramanik — North Bengal Development, Sports and Youth Welfare

‘Work Without Fear’: Adhikari To Bureaucrats

Adhikari also held a separate meeting with departmental secretaries, where the appointment of Manoj Aggarwal as Chief Secretary was formally communicated. During the interaction, he assured bureaucrats that they should work according to the law “without fear." ‘

He said the administrative hierarchy would be maintained and that governance would function strictly through the proper chain of command. He stated that it was wrong for officers to be belittled on live TV, stressing that every issue has an established administrative process.

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According to sources present in the meeting, Adhikari also directed officials to ensure protection of the former Chief Minister’s residence.

In his message to newly elected MLAs, the Chief Minister directed them to expedite pending work in both urban and rural areas. District Magistrates will hold meetings with MLAs later this week to review pending projects, with local bodies also participating.

He reiterated that only legal coal mining would be permitted and warned that illegal coal and sand mining would not be tolerated. The government, he said, intended to legalise mining operations so that labourers receive wages through formal systems while revenue reaches the state exchequer.

Adhikari also made it clear that there would be “zero tolerance" towards cut money, syndicate operations and extortion.

MLAs were advised not to make remarks that could hurt public sentiment and were instructed to avoid unparliamentary language.

In a separate message to the police administration, the new leadership directed officers to minimise public inconvenience during the Chief Minister’s movement and avoid unnecessary use of hooters.

Strict action, including non-bailable cases, was ordered against those responsible for triggering communal violence, while those acting in self-defence were to face bailable charges. Police were also instructed that prayers on roads would not be allowed except on special occasions.

The administration further directed that complaints related to the 2021 post-poll violence, many of which were allegedly recorded only as General Diary entries, should now be reopened for proper investigation.

Senior bureaucrats who attended the meetings said the Chief Minister’s message was aimed at restoring institutional functioning and giving officers confidence to work independently within the legal framework.

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