CM Suvendu begins first North Bengal tour, promises to fulfill region's developmental aspirations

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. File picture (X/@BJP_WB)

In his maiden visit to North Bengal after becoming the Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday (May 20, 2026) said he will work to fulfil the developmental aspirations of the people of the region.Acknowledging the support of the region's people for the BJP, Mr. Adhikari said he will visit north Bengal every month along with other Ministers of his cabinet.Also Read | Suvendu Adhikari holds first ‘janata darbar’ after becoming CM"We will work towards fulfilling all the promises made in our 'Sankalpa Patra' (poll manifesto) and those by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Mr. Adhikari told reporters on reaching Bagdogra airport from Kolkata.He said the BJP government will return the "debt of north Bengal's people", who, he said, have been supporting the saffron party since 2009."The BJP government will work towards giving north Bengal its developmental dues to erase the deprivation meted out to the region earlier," he said.The North Bengal Development Minister will hold office in Siliguri one day every week, Adhikari said, with the minister in charge of the department, Nisith Pramanik, in tow.North Bengal has been a BJP bastion for quite some years now, and the people of the region hope for some new announcements for the region by Mr. Adhikari in his first visit after taking oath as Chief Minister on May 9, a local saffron party leader said.Women in traditional red and white sarees blowing conch shells, and men beating 'dhaks' (drums) lined the streets through which CM Adhikari passed after landing at Bagdogra airport.Mr. Adhikari will visit the Siliguri BJP office, where he will meet party workers and leaders.The Chief Minister is scheduled to hold an administrative review meeting at Uttarkanya, the north Bengal arm of the State Secretariat, an official said.The BJP won 40 of the 54 Assembly constituencies in north Bengal in the recently concluded elections, surpassing the previous record of 30 seats in the 2021 polls. Published - May 20, 2026 01:04 pm IST