Suvendu targets Left, TMC for ‘divisive politics’, says they won’t be allowed to rise again

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday (Nov 12, 2026) launched a scathing attack on the previous Left Front and TMC governments, accusing them of abusing religious festivals, cultural traditions and linguistic differences for political gains.

Mr Adhikari also asserted that his government would not allow the return of what he described as a divisive and appeasement-driven policy.

Speaking at a Kazipara program in West Bengal ahead of the Chhath Puja, he said the 34-year Left Front rule and the subsequent 15-year TMC regime had damaged the state’s social fabric and undermined its centuries-old traditions.

“We will work to permanently distance ourselves from the people of Bengal, both the 34-year-old atheist communists and the 15-year-old Trinamool (TMC) that follows Jamaat. The present government will ensure that they never get a chance to raise their heads again,” the chief minister said.

Mr. Adhikari alleged that successive governments have used festivals and religious occasions as tools of political polarization, creating differences between communities instead of preserving Bengali’s pluralistic cultural traditions.

“They happen to put tilak on their foreheads and also do not tie sacred threads on their wrists, which is the practice of every Sanatan Hindu,” he said, targeting the communists.

He targeted the TMC in particular, arguing that the party had systematically undermined the state’s traditional social and cultural ethos during its 15 years in power.

He alleged that the previous regime tried to divide the Sanatani community by exploiting language differences and portraying people from other states as outsiders.

“Indian citizens coming from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra were branded as outsiders while illegal immigrants from Bangladesh were treated with undue hospitality,” the chief minister said.

Mr. Adhikari also accused the TMC leadership of trying to project the BJP as a non-Bengali political force to consolidate its voter support base while allegedly marginalizing various sections of the society politically.

The remarks come against the backdrop of the BJP’s sustained political campaign in Bengal over alleged illegal infiltration, identity politics and what it describes as minority appeasement under the previous TMC government.

Mr. Adhikari also alleged that thousands of crores of rupees were smuggled out of the country during the previous regime, while language and religious fault lines were exploited to maintain political power.

Mr Adhikari issued a stark warning to those accused of corruption, saying his government would not spare anyone involved in financial irregularities.

“No one involved in corruption will be given the slightest concession,” he said.

Mr Adhikari alleged that the previous TMC regime had tried to discourage Hindu religious celebrations and claimed that his government believed in inclusiveness in line with Bengali traditions and that Muslims were also rallying behind the BJP.

“We won the Nandigram bypoll with a big margin and also from Rejinagar where 70% of the population is Muslim. They are with the BJP,” Mr. Adhikari said.

He alleged that the TMC government had tried to create hurdles for Ram Navami processions and other Hindu religious celebrations, alleging that devotees faced resistance during such events under the previous regime.

Alleging that Sanatan traditions were violated during the TMC rule, Mr. Adhikari alleged that scissors were used to start Durga Puja celebration during Pitru Paksha.

He also alleged that stones were pelted at Ram Navami processions from certain places of worship in the state during the previous government, which he claimed repeatedly created hurdles for such gatherings.

Mr. Adhikari further alleged that fundamentalist and militant forces raised their heads during the 15-year TMC rule in the state.

“You now have a government that is determined to ensure that the Sanatani traditions, including the observance of Pitru Paksha, Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Chhath Puja and Ram Navami, pass without any hurdles and that the Jamaat elements are defeated,” he said.

The chief minister also alleged that thousands of crores of rupees were siphoned off from the state.

He cited the alleged construction of a palatial property worth ₹10 crore in Falta by TMC strongman Jahangir Khan, popularly known as “Pushpa”.

Mr. Adhikari claimed that Mr. Khan was served seven times with eviction notices for the building, which was allegedly built on government land, and claimed that he would not be allowed to stay there.

He also mentioned the market complex allegedly built by TMC strongman Sheikh Shahjahan in Sandeshkhali and warned of action in this regard.

Responding to Mr. Adhikari’s allegations, CPI(M) leader Satarup Ghosh said the Constitution guarantees freedom to citizens to practice atheism but does not protect those accused of accepting bribes.

“We practice atheism and there is nothing illegal about it. But Mr. Adhikari was caught on camera allegedly accepting money, an act that amounts to a crime. He must be held accountable for his actions,” Mr. Ghosh said, referring to the Narada scam.

Published – 12 Nov 2026 19:01 IST