West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has said that BJP government will undertake major development initiatives to upgrade facilities at key religious sites across the state such as Dakshineswar and Kalighat temples. He said, work has already commenced to elevate the Ganga Sagar Mela to international standards, while facilities at prominent religious landmarks like Dakshineswar and Kalighat will be significantly upgraded. Speaking at a programme in Kolkata, Mr Adhikari said, grand arrangements will be made for the upcoming ‘Srabani Mela’ at Tarakeshwar. Hitting out at the previous Trinamool Congress administration, Chief Minister alleged that West Bengal suffered from “acute lack of employment opportunities and systemic corruption” over the past 15 years. Mr Adhikari also asserted that appeasement politics had taken precedence over development during the TMC regime. Describing West Bengal as a sacred spiritual land, Mr Adhikari said the era of appeasement, lawlessness and lack of investments is now over.

The Chief Minister also asserted that he has put a stop to “all sorts of hooliganism” in Bengal. Mr Adhikari emphasised that the alignment of the state government with the Centre will accelerate development, as he cited a series of central government projects being implemented in West Bengal to boost employment and infrastructure.