BJP MLAs on Monday elected Nandigram MLA Suvendu Adhikari as the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly. Adhikari’s name was announced by Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad at the BJP office in the Hastings area of Kolkata.
Adhikari, who defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from Nandigram by a narrow margin, had deserted the Trinamool Congress (TMC) ahead of the Assembly elections to join the saffron party.
“I am committed towards the goal of violence-free and peaceful Bengal. We will cooperate with the state government in constructive work,” said Adhikari.
However, he expressed concern over post-poll violence in Bengal. “It pains me to see that there is no democracy in West Bengal. Just because of voting for another party lakhs of people have to flee from their homes. We have to restore democracy here,” said Adhikari.
He also said that he will always raise his voice in protest against the state government regarding instances of atrocities.
Taking a dig at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her loss in Nandigram, Adhikari said that she was the first person in Bengal politics to become Chief Minister despite losing in Nandigram.
During the meeting, Adhikari’s name was proposed by senior party leader Mukul Roy which was supported by 22 other MLAs. The rest of the MLAs did not propose any other name.
Published 10 May 2021, 11:46 IST