kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Kolkata: Suvendu Adhikari formally began his tenure as the ninth Chief Minister of West Bengal by stepping into Nabanna for the first time on Monday. The newly appointed Chief Minister was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour upon his arrival at the state secretariat, marking the official start of his administrative responsibilities.

With a stated vision of building a “Sonar Bangla,” Adhikari is set to chair his first Cabinet meeting under the new BJP-led government. In total, he is scheduled to hold three major meetings at Nabanna on the day, focusing on governance, administration and law enforcement.

Earlier in the morning, Adhikari left his residence at Chinar Park and around 9:30 am visited the home of state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya in Salt Lake. He was warmly welcomed by local residents with garlands and traditional greetings. Accompanied by Bhattacharya, he then travelled in the same vehicle to the BJP state headquarters in Salt Lake, where party workers had made elaborate arrangements to greet him.

The party office, Adhikari was welcomed with flowers and ceremonial rituals. He was felicitated with a garland made of 207 lotus flowers, symbolizing the party’s electoral success. Women welcomed him with traditional trays as part of the reception ceremony. A brief organizational meeting was held at the party headquarters before he proceeded to Nabanna.

Adhikari received the Guard of Honour and later went to his office on the 14th floor. Five newly elected ministers Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Khudiram Tudu, Ashok Kirtania and Nisith Pramanik had already arrived at Nabanna ahead of the first Cabinet meeting of the new government.

The Chief Minister’s schedule includes three administrative meetings at Nabanna. He is expected to first meet with state secretaries, followed by a meeting with district magistrates, and later in the afternoon hold discussions with senior police officials. The Director General of Police, the Commissioner of Kolkata Police and other high-ranking officers from various zones are expected to attend the law and order review meeting.

Security at Nabanna had been reviewed a day earlier. On Sunday, senior officers from Kolkata Police and Howrah Police inspected the secretariat premises. Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nanda and Howrah Police Commissioner Akhilesh Chaturvedi personally assessed the arrangements along with other senior officials. They reviewed security protocols for the Chief Minister’s office, meeting halls and the overall premises, and conducted an emergency meeting to finalize security measures ahead of the new Chief Minister’s first official day at Nabanna.

The developments mark a significant political transition in West Bengal as the new administration begins its governance with an emphasis on administrative coordination and security preparedness.