West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari (BJP) began his first tour of North Bengal on Wednesday to address the region's developmental needs [1, 3].
The visit marks a strategic effort to implement the BJP's poll manifesto and rectify what the administration describes as historic deprivation in the northern part of the state [1, 2].
Adhikari said the BJP government will work toward giving North Bengal its developmental dues to erase the deprivation meted out to the region earlier [1]. He said the region has shown unwavering support to the BJP, which necessitates ensuring its development aspirations are met [3].
As part of this push, the Chief Minister pledged to establish three major institutions in the region [4]. These include an AIIMS, an IIT, and a cancer hospital [2, 4]. Adhikari said the government will fulfill the promises made in its manifesto regarding these specific facilities [2].
The tour focuses on bridging the gap between the northern and southern regions of West Bengal. By prioritizing high-level healthcare and educational infrastructure, the administration aims to stimulate economic growth and improve public services in the area [1, 2].
Adhikari's visit is his first in the region since taking the oath of office [3]. The initiative is designed to signal a shift in governance priorities toward the North Bengal corridor—a region that has frequently cited a lack of centralized resources compared to the state capital [1, 2].
“The BJP government will work towards giving North Bengal its developmental dues”
This tour represents an attempt by the current West Bengal administration to solidify its political base in North Bengal by delivering high-visibility infrastructure projects. By promising an IIT and AIIMS, the government is targeting two critical gaps—specialized healthcare and technical education—to address long-standing regional grievances and ensure electoral loyalty in a historically underserved area.
