Kolkata: New Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari may stay in one of the quarters on the Lok Bhavan premises, amid heightened security considerations, sources in the administration said. This is in addition to the Soujanya complex in Alipore, which is also under consideration for the CM's residence.
Security Concerns Prompt Relocation
"The CM currently stays in a flat in Chinar Park but intelligence agencies have found the place not secure and have advised shifting the CM's residence either to Lok Bhavan or Soujanya Complex," an official said.
Additional commissioner (VI) of Kolkata Police Ashesh Biswas visited Lok Bhavan and inspected the residential quarters near the gate opposite the AG Bengal Office, Lok Bhavan sources said. "He was accompanied by the OC and additional OC of Lok Bhavan during the 30-minute inspection," a source added.
Historical Significance of Lok Bhavan Quarters
These quarters were earlier used as residences of former CM Jyoti Basu and former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee. Basu, who initially stayed in Hindustan Park, later shifted to Lok Bhavan (then Raj Bhavan), before moving to Indira Bhavan in Salt Lake. Chatterjee usually stayed in the Lok Bhavan quarters during his stays in Kolkata when he was the Lok Sabha Speaker from 2004 to 2009.
Former state ministers Naren De and Moloy Ghatak also stayed in nearby government quarters near the North Gate beside the Mother Dairy complex.
Soujanya Complex Also Under Consideration
Additionally, the administration is considering if Soujanya can be used as the CM's residence along with his office. Besides PWD officials who inspected the place, senior Kolkata Police officers visited it on Sunday.
Notably, former governor C V Ananda Bose stayed at Soujanya during a visit to Kolkata after completing his tenure as governor.
CM's Vision for an Accessible Office
"He has stressed setting up an office which the common people can visit with their problems," a source close to Adhikari said.
