Suvendu Adhikari, a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bengal and the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, strongly criticized the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). Adhikari made serious allegations, asserting that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's financial advisor, Hari Krishna Dwivedi, prompted the removal of two ministers and an MLA, all belonging to the Muslim community, from a government bungalow in Kolkata.
In a scathing critique of Mamata Banerjee, Adhikari claimed that the Chief Minister's true nature is revealed in this incident, where Muslim leaders are allegedly treated with disrespect behind the scenes. He contended that these Muslim leaders are merely used as faces to enhance the secular image of the TMC Party and attract votes from the Muslim community.
According to Adhikari, the leaders asked to vacate the bungalow are state ministers Akhruzzaman and Sabina Yeasmin, along with former minister and MLA Giasuddin Molla. Notably, these three leaders reportedly lack residences in Kolkata. In contrast, Hari Krishna Dwivedi, the Chief Minister's finance advisor and former Chief Secretary, is said to possess two private residences in the capital city.
Adhikari raised concerns about the significant expenditure, amounting to Rs 2 crore, allegedly being incurred on renovating the government bungalow designated for Dwivedi. Describing the property, Adhikari highlighted that it boasts eight rooms and spans across an area of 7,000 square feet.
Adding to the accusations, Adhikari labeled Dwivedi as a "tainted" official and asserted that he had unethically misused his position during his service. Adhikari claimed that Dwivedi, during his tenure, improperly drew more than Rs 16.4 lakh as House Rent Allowance (HRA) while benefiting from rent-free accommodation in a government-owned bungalow.
Dwivedi, a 1988 IAS batch officer, held the position of Bengal Chief Secretary in 2021 and concluded his term on December 31, 2023, after receiving a six-month extension. The allegations raised by Suvendu Adhikari underscore the complex political dynamics in West Bengal and the ongoing tensions between the BJP and the ruling TMC.
