WEST Bengal’s Chief Minister-elect Suvendu Adhikari said the days of ‘Sonar Bangla’ have officially started with Saturday marking the beginning of a new era of “peace and prosperity” under a “double-engine” administration as the State’s first BJP Government is set to take charge. Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival in Kolkata for the oath-taking ceremony at the Brigade Parade Ground, Adhikari posted a message on X welcoming him to the State and describing the occasion as the fulfilment of the “dreams of our founding fathers”. “A historic dawn for West Bengal indeed. It is a moment of profound pride and jubilation to welcome visionary Leader PM Narendra Modi Ji to the City of Joy. Today, as we witness the swearing-in ceremony of the first-ever BJP Government in West Bengal since Independence, we fulfil the dreams of our founding fathers.” “Today marks the end of decades of misrule and the beginning of a double-engine era of development, peace, and prosperity.

 

The era of ‘Sonar Bangla’ officially begins,” Adhikari posted on X. Will work for restoring West Bengal’s ‘lost glory’: Suvendu: 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.” TMC names Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as leader of opposition in West Bengal Assembly: THE TMC on Saturday appointed Ballygunge MLA Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as the leader of opposition in the West Bengal assembly. In a statement, the party announced that Dhanekhali MLA Asima Patra and Chowrangee legislator Nayna Bandyopadhyay would serve as deputy leaders of the opposition. Kolkata Port MLA Firhad Hakim was appointed chief whip in the Assembly. Hakim is also the Mayor of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.