Kolkata, Oct. 28 -- Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday said that while governing the state, the religion or identity of the people does not matter and those most in need will always be his government's highest priority.
After the BJP's landslide victory in the May 2026 Bengal Assembly elections, Adhikari allegedly made several polarising and communal remarks, describing the outcome as a "victory for Hindutva." He claimed that the majority of Muslim voters supported Mamata Banerjee while Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists backed the BJP.
Regarding his support base in Nandigram where he won for the second time in 2026 May Assembly polls, he stated that "Hindu people made me win again" and alleged that the "entire Muslim vote went to TMC," adding that he would work specifically for the Hindus of Nandigram. When Adhikari was the Leader of Opposition, he had called for dropping Prime Minister Narendra Modi's slogan "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" and scrapping the party's minority cell during a BJP state executive meeting in July 2024, arguing that the majority of Muslim voters in the state did not vote for the BJP.
Speaking in the Assembly, Adhikari said: "Yes, we are a party of Hindus. We believe in Sanatan Dharma and take pride in wearing a tilak on our foreheads. Those who identify us by this identity should take note of that. However, when it comes to governance, religion or identity is not the criterion; those who are most in need will receive our highest priority." He was responding to allegations that the BJP practices communal politics.
The Chief Minister, along with several other leaders and ministers, was present at the swearing-in ceremony of two newly-elected MLAs who won recent by-elections. After the swearing-in, Adhikari made several remarks on the political situation, the role of the Opposition, religious identity and law and order in the state. He stated that out of 300 polling booths, 100 were Sanatani booths and 200 were minority-dominated booths. He also said that members of the minority community had voted. The Chief Minister further referred to the unfortunate incident involving the death of a child during the election campaign.
The Chief Minister also took a dig at divisions within the Opposition camp. He claimed that the Opposition was currently divided into three factions. According to him, most MLAs were aligned with the Leader of the Opposition, while another faction belonged to the Trinamool Congress. He maintained that no untoward incidents had occurred in the three by-elections, adding, "This is a Bengal that has changed."
Referring to BJP candidate Sakharov Sarkar's victory by a margin of approximately 75,000 votes in Rejinagar bypolls, Adhikari said the result demonstrated the people's confidence in the government. "This is only breakfast. What you are seeing now is just morning tea and biscuits. Breakfast and lunch are yet to come. Just keep watching," Adhikari added.
Advising the Opposition to continue fighting among themselves, Adhikari made it clear that the law-and-order situation in the state must not deteriorate under any circumstances. The Chief Minister also responded to allegations made in a social media post by the Leader of Opposition regarding an alleged attempt to hijack a truck carrying affidavits. He said that if the Leader of Opposition filed an FIR, the investigation would be handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Referring to his prior acquaintance with Hasirani Rath's son, the Chief Minister claimed that the young man had worked with him. He questioned where the money amounting to Rs 2 crore had come from. He said it remained to be investigated whether the money had any connection with anyone from Camac Street, Kalighat or Diamond Harbour.
Without taking former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's name, Adhikari advised her not to contest any more elections. Speaking about her age, Adhikari said that she was now 75 years old and needed rest. The Chief Minister claimed that he had defeated her twice before.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.