Subrata Gupta has been appointed as an adviser to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, marking a significant development in the state’s governance. This appointment was confirmed through an official order issued by the West Bengal government on May 9. Gupta, who is a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the 1990 batch, has previously served as the Special Roll Observer during the Special Intensive Revision exercise by the Election Commission of India, prior to the assembly elections.

New Roles Within the Chief Minister’s Office

In addition to Gupta’s appointment, the West Bengal government has appointed Shantanu Bala as the Private Secretary to Chief Minister Adhikari. Bala, an IAS officer from the 2017 batch, was previously the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) of South 24 Parganas before assuming this new role. The notification regarding his appointment noted that his new responsibilities were in the interest of public service.

The official notification stated that the Governor had approved the appointment of Bala, reinforcing the government’s intent to enhance efficiency within the Chief Minister’s Office. Bala will now assist Adhikari directly, ensuring that administrative processes run smoothly as the new government initiates its operations.

Both Gupta and Bala are expected to take up their respective roles immediately. This swift transition is indicative of the urgency with which the newly formed BJP government aims to establish its administrative framework following its victory in the assembly elections.

Details of the Swearing-In Ceremony

The appointments coincided with Suvendu Adhikari’s swearing-in as the ninth Chief Minister of West Bengal, which took place in Kolkata. This event is historical as it marks the first time the Bharatiya Janata Party has assumed governance in the state, successfully ending a 15-year rule by the Trinamool Congress. Adhikari took the oath of office administered by Governor RN Ravi, with a host of senior leaders present, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various Union Ministers.

During the ceremony, five BJP leaders were also sworn in as ministers, including Dilip Ghosh and Agnimitra Paul. This gathering was not only significant for its political implications but also for showcasing the support network from various states, with Chief Ministers from Tripura, Assam, Delhi, and Uttarakhand in attendance.

The BJP achieved a remarkable victory in the recent assembly elections, securing 207 seats compared to the 80 seats won by the Trinamool Congress. Adhikari himself had a notable win, defeating former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency with a margin of over 15,000 votes, while successfully retaining his Nandigram Assembly seat. This decisive victory signifies a substantial shift in West Bengal’s political landscape.

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