Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata
Kolkata, Jun 7: West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday alleged that large-scale corruption had become entrenched across various departments during the 15-year rule of the Trinamool Congress government, adding that his administration was uncovering fresh instances of irregularities after taking charge.
Addressing a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) gathering in New Town on the outskirts of Kolkata, the Chief Minister said his government remained committed to implementing the commitments outlined in its election manifesto despite the challenges posed by alleged administrative mismanagement inherited from the previous regime.
Adhikari claimed that investigations and reviews conducted by the new government were revealing extensive corruption in multiple sectors. He remarked that the number of alleged offenders linked to such cases could overwhelm the existing correctional infrastructure in the state, underscoring what he described as the scale of the problem.
Reiterating his government's focus on accountability and transparency, the Chief Minister said the administration was determined to ensure that development initiatives and welfare measures were implemented honestly and efficiently. He expressed confidence that the benefits of transparent governance would be felt by the people of the state for decades to come.
Highlighting welfare schemes introduced by the previous government, Adhikari cited the former Lakshmir Bhandar programme as an example of alleged irregularities. He said that after the scheme was replaced by the Annapurna Yojana, the government conducted a review of beneficiary records and identified several discrepancies.
According to the Chief Minister, the verification process revealed that a significant number of listed beneficiaries could not be matched with entries in the electoral rolls. He also alleged that some male recipients had been receiving benefits under a scheme originally intended for women, raising concerns about the accuracy of beneficiary data.
During his address, Adhikari also emphasized the importance of unity within the BJP and urged party workers to prioritize collective leadership over individual ambitions.
He said the political environment in West Bengal required year-round engagement and called on party members to strengthen organisational cohesion. Stressing the need to align with the BJP's ideology, the Prime Minister's vision and public expectations, the Chief Minister urged workers to maintain close coordination and work together to further the party's objectives in the state.
The remarks come as the new state government continues to review administrative and welfare programmes introduced during the previous administration while outlining its own governance agenda.