KOLKATA: Bengal's first BJP chief minister, Suvendu Adhikari, may soon change his Kolkata address from his Chinar Park flat to the Soujanya complex in Alipore. The Public Works Department (PWD) is actively considering whether Soujanya can be used as the temporary residence of the chief minister. Senior police officials, led by joint police commissioner Rupesh Kumar, visited the building on Sunday to assess its security arrangements. A final decision is awaited.
Soujanya Complex: A VVIP Residence
Built at a cost of over Rs 180 crore, the palatial structure was constructed specifically to house chief ministers and other VVIPs. Since its inauguration in 2018 by then Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, it has remained largely unused. The complex is located within the Bhabanipur constituency, which Adhikari won by defeating Mamata Banerjee. Incidentally, it is situated less than 2 km from her Kalighat residence. The residences of the chief secretary and the Director General of Police are also within a 1-km radius of Soujanya.
Adhikari's Current Residence and Security Concerns
Adhikari's ancestral home, Shantikunj, in East Midnapore's Contai, where his parents and family reside, has seen him insist that no barriers be erected so that common people are not inconvenienced. Even though security at his Chinar Park flat has been upgraded, security requirements may lead him to look for a more centralized address. The move to Soujanya would provide a more secure and strategically located residence.
Suvendu Repeats 'CM-for-All' Mantra
"A CM has to weigh his words. So talk less and work more. I am a CM for all," Suvendu told supporters late on Saturday while returning to his ancestral home, Shantikunj, in Contai. Later, navigating through thousands of supporters, he said, "This is independence. Bhoy out, bhorsa in (fear out, trust in)."
Amid chants of "Jai Shri Ram", he added, "PM Modi said 'sabka sath, sabka vikas'. At Brigade, he also said the same thing." As the crowd chanted, "Hisab liya jaega (everything will be accounted for)," the CM replied, "I am not saying that."
The decision on the new residence is expected soon, with security and accessibility being key factors. Adhikari's emphasis on being a chief minister for all reflects his commitment to inclusive governance, while the move to a more secure location underscores the demands of his new role.
