Kolkata: As a total of 35 BJP MLAs were sworn in as ministers at Lok Bhavan, marking the expansion of the Cabinet led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari in West Bengal, the newly-inducted ministers on Monday described the occasion as a unique experience and said that fulfilling the aspirations of the people and rebuilding ‘Sonar Bangla’ would be their top priority.
Speaking to IANS, BJP leader Dipak Barman said, “This is a unique experience for us. Today, our Chief Minister has given us an opportunity to work. He has shown trust in us. My only effort and prayer now are that I should live up to this responsibility and meet the expectations placed upon me.”
Another BJP leader, Dudh Kumar Mondal, said, “The chapter of Anubrata Mondal has come to an end, and he will not make a comeback. The BJP’s rise has begun in Bengal. Across West Bengal, Anubrata Mondal’s influence is over, and the people are now standing with the BJP.”
Speaking about the new government’s responsibilities, Dipak Barman said, “I do not want to comment on what has happened so far. However, we will make every effort to live up to the expectations with which the people have brought the BJP to power. Our Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, has formed a Cabinet that represents the entire state. This demonstrates his commitment to the development and welfare of all regions of West Bengal. We are prepared to meet the expectations of the people and work towards fulfilling them.”
BJP leader Tapas Roy said that the people of Bengal had long been waiting for a government that could address their concerns and aspirations.
“Expectations always existed, and people had hopes, but the previous government was unable to fulfill them. Every sector suffered setbacks. Whichever sector you look at, the situation deteriorated. Over the last 15 years, much of what had been built was either damaged or neglected. The people of West Bengal still have hopes, but bringing the state back on track and taking it forward will be a very difficult task. This is the challenge that we have to undertake,” Roy said.
BJP MLA Swapan Dasgupta compared the present situation to a rebuilding process.
“I think this is only the beginning. When you come across a devastated area, first you have to clear the rubble and then move on to building something constructive. What you have seen so far is essentially a clearing operation. The real building process is yet to begin,” he said.
Union Minister of State Shantanu Thakur expressed confidence that the new government would work in alignment with the Centre’s vision of development.
“Work will move in the right direction because the newly-formed government has the goal of achieving a developed India, as envisioned by the Prime Minister. The aim is to build a ‘Viksit Bharat’. When India becomes developed, West Bengal will not be left behind. It will progress alongside the rest of the country,” he said.
BJP leader Ajay Kumar Poddar said that the composition of the Cabinet reflected the direction and priorities of the new government.
“Direction and governance are reflected through the Cabinet. It was our lifelong dream to be able to pay tribute to Syama Prasad Mukherjee by carrying forward his vision. This is one of our biggest achievements. Fulfilling the aspirations of the people and rebuilding ‘Sonar Bangla’ is our priority. We cannot achieve this alone. With the cooperation of all citizens, working shoulder to shoulder and hand in hand, we will accomplish this task by taking everyone along,” he said.
BJP MLA Anandamay Barman stressed the importance of ensuring that welfare schemes reach the grassroots level.
“Undoubtedly, the Bharatiya Janata Party government has now been formed, and it is a double-engine government. All the schemes of the Central Government as well as those of the West Bengal Government should reach common people at the grassroots level. This is our priority. Certainly, under the principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, development will take place,” he said.
BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh credited the people of West Bengal for the party’s success.
“First of all, if congratulations are to be given, they should be given to the people of West Bengal, not to us. We have merely fulfilled the responsibility entrusted to us with the blessings of the people. The credit goes to those citizens who made this possible,” he said.
Reiterating the government’s focus, Tapas Roy added, “The task ahead is clear. Work has to be done for the progress and prosperity of Bengal.”
Rajya Sabha MP Anant Maharaj also expressed optimism about the future under the new administration.
“The government has been formed very well, and the direction is also correct. Everything will change,” he said.
Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Vardhan Shringla said the BJP government had received a strong mandate for change from the people of the state.
“This government has come to power on the basis of a very strong mandate from the people. The people of Bengal wanted change, and they have received the change they sought. We have a strong government led by Suvendu Adhikari and now a capable 35-member Cabinet. Even when there were only five ministers, significant work had already been undertaken. Now that the full Cabinet is in place, portfolios are likely to be announced soon, allowing the government to move ahead at a faster pace,” he said.
BJP MP Raju Bista said that the Cabinet expansion marked an important moment for the state.
“After the formation of the Bharatiya Janata Party government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, and with the blessings of the party’s national leadership, a full Cabinet expansion has now taken place in West Bengal. For the past month, the people of West Bengal have been waiting for this day,” he said.
Meanwhile, BJP MP Jagannath Sarkar said that the government’s primary objective would be to accelerate Bengal’s development.
“There is only one expectation. Bengal has been lagging behind in development and now needs to move forward. Just as India is progressing under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, Bengal should also advance under the leadership of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Our goal is to transform Bengal into ‘Sonar Bangla’. That remains our primary objective,” he said.
(IANS)
