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'Don't Give Me 57 Months, Give Me Just 10...': West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari's Full Speech

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Overview

Suvendu Adhikari’s speech serves as both:

  • a political justification for West Bengal’s BJP-led government—framed around his first ~110 days in office, and
  • a broad critique of the previous regime’s alleged failures in security, governance, the judiciary, and media freedom.

He also outlines near-term priorities and repeatedly invokes themes of nationalism, constitutionalism, and “people’s rule” over aristocratic or political elitism.

Key Arguments and Claims

Gratitude and legitimacy

  • He thanks Arnab Goswami and the “Republic” team.
  • He praises prominent figures across West Bengal—such as doctors, spiritual leaders, artists, investors, and cultural contributors.
  • He claims the BJP government was formed with a “huge mandate.”
  • He argues that while the Chief Minister is not directly elected, the MLAs chosen by the people select the government leadership.

Personal political narrative to justify leadership style

  • He emphasizes a career beginning in student politics (1987–1988), moving through local governance to higher offices.
  • He states that during his early CM tenure he avoided media talk shows, saying that if he appears in media, it should be Republic Bangla.
  • He frames his leadership as team-based—“not I but we”—and says he is still in an “evolution process” after taking office.

Core critique: governance breakdown under the previous regime

Constitutional pillars allegedly undermined

  • He claims MPs/MLAs were not given proper constitutional roles—summarized as “only one post and all the rest are lamp posts.”

Bureaucratic manipulation

  • He alleges the bureaucratic hierarchy was politicized, citing:
    • transfers,
    • extensions granted to certain officers, and
    • discouragement/retaliation mechanisms.

Judiciary pressure (“thread culture”)

  • He argues the judiciary was threatened or pressured, offering multiple anecdotal examples, including:
    • actions in courtrooms,
    • damage to judge residences, and
    • alleged retaliation narratives.

Media intimidation and legal cases

  • He asserts that cases involving Republic Media and others show intimidation and false targeting.
  • He says he will withdraw all cases against Republic as a Cabinet commitment, describing actions of the prior state government as “fraud.”

Timing request and operational stance

  • He requests 10 more months rather than “57 more months,” claiming time is needed to complete reforms and take action.
  • He repeatedly argues governance requires restraint at the top, stating the CM should:
    • “speak less, work more, listen more, interfere less.”

Stated Priorities for the Next Period

1. National security first

  • He claims border areas were neglected.
  • He says land for the BSF is being provided, with one caveat: “except 54 acres.”
  • He states fencing work is accelerating and frames the governing principle as:
    • “state above all, nation first.”

2. Constitutional responsibility of the state

  • He describes West Bengal’s legal reforms as constitutionally mandated.
  • He claims implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in West Bengal, contrasting this with delays or lack of effectiveness elsewhere.
  • He highlights:
    • the CrPC/IPC replacement narrative—presented as moving from British-era laws to an “Indian Code of Justice”
    • Census 2025: he says he ordered the census process and frames it as a non-political “citizen register” step seen in developed democracies, arguing the country lacks such registration due to political opposition.

3. Public welfare

  • He frames welfare as constitutionally inclusive for citizens of different faiths (Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian).
  • He argues the government will not support illegal immigrants.

4. Industry, investment, and trade environment

  • He lists infrastructure and economic initiatives and criticizes the previous government for allegedly blocking or halting them.
  • Examples include highways, bridges/road projects, and unblocking of investment-related items.

5. Implementation of central government schemes in the state

He claims the new government restarted or launched previously delayed or pending welfare schemes, including:

  • Ayushman Bharat
  • Suryaghar and crop insurance (described as Prime Minister-linked schemes)
  • housing initiatives, including large-scale house-building targets
  • airport planning and land acquisition for multiple airports, including:
    • Purulia
    • Malda
    • Balurghat expansion
    • Cooch Behar
    • land for Hasimara/Kalaikunda domestic airport
    • identification of land for a Kalyani greenfield airport

Citizenship, Migration, and “Anti-Goond” Legal Stance

Illegal immigration deterrence

  • He describes changes to how detained illegal immigrants are processed, including re-naming what he calls “detention center/holding station” and claiming they should not be treated in ways he condemns.

“Goons Deterrence” law

  • He claims West Bengal will pass/has passed a “Goondas Deterrence Act”, enabling detention and additional penalties, including property-related consequences, linked to alleged anti-national or violent actions.

Regional Identity and History of Partition

“West Bengal cannot be erased”

  • He argues strongly against erasing the name “West Bengal.”
  • He links it to historical voting decisions in 1947, and to reasoning attributed to leaders such as Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Swami Pranabananda (as he narrates).
  • He discusses partition trauma and connects his family history (from Barisal/then East Pakistan) to his stance on citizenship, census, and protection of Hindus.
  • He portrays current critics as ignoring partition atrocities.

Cultural/Political Framing and Close

  • He celebrates Bengal’s spiritual and cultural institutions, including claims about global reach of organizations such as ISKCON and Bharat Sevashram Sangha.
  • He closes by asking for support for West Bengal’s development, stating that a developed India by 2047 requires developing West Bengal.
  • He thanks Republic Bangla for hosting the event and praises the channel/team’s efforts.

Presenters / Contributors (as mentioned in the subtitles)

  • Arnab Goswami (Editor, Republic Network; referenced as Republic Network editor)
  • Swarnali Sarkar (Executive Editor, Republic Bangla)
  • Subhendu Adhikari / Suvendu Adhikari (West Bengal Chief Minister; speaker)
  • Sambarta Roy Goswami (Senior Executive Editor; mentioned during award ceremony)
  • Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai (lead of the committee for UCC; referenced)
  • Narendra Modi (Prime Minister; referenced)
  • Amit Shah (Home Minister; referenced)
  • Retired Justice Biswajit Basu (referenced)
  • IPS Jairaman (referenced)
  • DGP (IPS officer of the 89th cadre) (referenced)
  • Abhijit Ganguly (referenced)
  • Amrita Sinha (referenced)
  • Senior Justice Rajashekhar (referenced)
  • Mamata Banerjee (referenced)

Individuals referenced in anecdotes (as mentioned)

  • Abhijit Ganguly’s court
  • Sambay Bandopadhyay
  • Sameer Ghosh / Guha (spelling varies)
  • Abhijit and others in multiple incidents (referenced as individuals in examples)

Original video