Kolkata | The chair used by former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee in the state Assembly for the past 15 years has been shifted to the opposition leader’s room following the change of government in the state, a senior official said on Saturday.
Suvendu Adhikari, the BJP leader who was sworn in as the CM during the day, would not use the chair occupied by his predecessor, and a different seat has been arranged in the chief minister’s chamber, the official said.
The wooden chair was shifted on Friday night as part of the administrative rearrangement after the new government took over.
The room where Banerjee’s chair has now been placed is expected to be used by the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, officials added.
“As per established protocol, the previous chief minister’s designated furniture and official markers were removed. Necessary modifications are being carried out for the new administration,” a senior state bureaucrat told PTI.
The official nameplate outside Banerjee’s chamber was also removed in accordance with procedure, sources said.
Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress supremo, was defeated by Adhikari in the Bhabanipur assembly constituency in south Kolkata.
Meanwhile, a new nameplate bearing Adhikari's name has been installed outside the chief minister's chamber in the assembly.
This room has served as the chamber of several past chief ministers of West Bengal.
“The changes are largely procedural. They reflect the formal transition of administrative authority after the formation of the new government,” another senior official in the Assembly secretariat said.
Kolkata | Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday said he would work for restoring the "lost glory" of West Bengal, alleging that the state had declined during the 15-year rule of the Trinamool Congress.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the residence of Syama Prasad Mookerjee in Bhabanipur, Adhikari said south Kolkata had been a cultural stronghold associated with icons such as Satyajit Ray and Uttam Kumar.
"Give me some time. We have definite plans to develop places associated with many luminaries who are part of Bengal's heritage and pride," he said.
"We need to bring back the lost glory of Bengal, which hit rock bottom under the TMC government. From culture to law and order, particularly women's safety and economic decline, Bengal lost its preeminence over the last 15 years. We have to set the record straight and bring the state back on the path of glory," he added.
Adhikari, who won from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur, sought cooperation from all political parties in achieving that goal.
Reacting to TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee’s appeal for democratic and secular forces to unite against the BJP, he said, "She has lost all relevance. I will not comment on her statements."
Describing the swearing-in ceremony at Brigade Parade Ground as "historic", Adhikari claimed chief ministers from 20 states attended the programme, which drew an estimated crowd of 2.5 to 3 lakh people.
"I feel happy that the process for 'poriborton' (change) has already started," he said.
After visiting the Kalighat temple, Adhikari said Prime Minister Narendra Modi envisioned developing major religious sites in Bengal, similar to the redevelopment of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple corridor.
"As part of PM Modi's vision, the Kalighat temple will also be developed so that devotees from across the country do not face difficulties," he said.
Adhikari also claimed to have had a "divine experience" while recently offering prayers at the temple.
"When I went to offer puja to Goddess Kali, a lotus fell on me. It felt like the Goddess was blessing me," he said.
Adhikari also visited the headquarters of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha in Ballygunge, where he was felicitated by the monks.
He also visited Gariahat Crossing and interacted with the people and traders, who turned up in large numbers.
