In a surprising development that has sparked debate across political circles, the entire front page of Ganashakti—the official mouthpiece of the CPI(M)—on Saturday carried advertisements from the West Bengal government, prominently featuring images of Narendra Modi and newly sworn-in Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

The unexpected move left CPI(M) supporters and party workers stunned, as the publication had reportedly not received any state government advertisements for the past 15 years.

The front page advertisement highlighted the swearing-in ceremony of the new Chief Minister, coinciding with the culturally significant occasion of the 25th of Boishakh. Turning the pages revealed additional government advertisements within the newspaper, underlining a notable policy shift following the change in power in the state.

This marks the first instance since 2011—when the Left Front government was voted out—that the CPI(M) daily has carried state-issued advertisements.

15-year gap since end of Left rule

According to sources, since the rise of Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress in 2011, Ganashakti had been excluded from the state government’s advertisement list.

The absence of such advertisements had reportedly contributed to financial strain within the publication over the years.

In 2014, the CPI(M) approached the Calcutta High Court, challenging the denial of advertisements. The court ruled that the state government is obligated to distribute advertisements to all eligible newspapers recognised by the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI), in accordance with established norms.

Despite the ruling, the previous state government allegedly did not comply with the directive, CPI(M) leaders claimed.

Centre continued support, state withheld ads

Party sources pointed out that while state government advertisements were withheld during the Trinamool regime, advertisements from the Central government continued uninterrupted—even after the BJP came to power at the Centre in 2014 under Prime Minister Modi.

Following the BJP’s victory in the 2026 Assembly elections, the new state government has now resumed issuing advertisements to the CPI(M) publication.

Financial relief, but uncertainty remains

Apart from the front-page feature, at least two additional state government advertisements appeared inside the newspaper. This is expected to provide some financial relief to Ganashakti, which had been facing economic challenges due to the prolonged absence of such revenue.

However, uncertainty persists within CPI(M) circles over whether this flow of advertisements will continue in the long term.

CPI(M) reacts

Shamik Lahiri, editor of Ganashakti and a member of the CPI(M) State Secretariat, said the development merely reflects adherence to the law.

“According to the law, Ganashakti is entitled to receive state government advertisements. For the past 15 years, the previous government ignored both legal provisions and court directives.

The current government has now released advertisements, which is in line with established norms. However, it remains to be seen how long this continues,” he said.

The development has triggered discussions about shifting political equations in West Bengal.

Observers note that the reappearance of government advertisements in a CPI(M) mouthpiece underscores a broader transformation in the state’s political and administrative landscape following the recent change in power.

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