CM keeps key north Bengal portfolio, hands Rabbani minority affairs

After coming to power in 2011, Mamata set up north Bengal development department but she took charge of it for the first time now

(Clockwise) Biplab Mitra, Bulu Chil Baraik, Sabina Yeasmin, Ghulam Rabbani and Paresh Chandra Adhikary, ministers from north Bengal in the Mamata government’s third term.

Telegraph picture

Avijit Sinha   |  TT  |  Siliguri   |  11.05.21:  Mamata Banerjee kept the north Bengal development department (NBDD), the decision drawing loud cheers from the region as many believe it indicates that the chief minister herself would look after the region’s development.

After coming to power in 2011, Mamata set up the department but she took charge of it for the first time now.

A senior party leader in Siliguri said they could draw two interpretations when the key portfolio of the region does not go to an elected MLA from there. “First, it indicates that the chief minister herself intends to focus more on north Bengal, a region where the saffron camp has won 30 (of the 54) seats. Secondly, it hints that after the defeat of senior ministers (of the region) like Gautam Deb and Rabindranath Ghosh, she preferred to keep this department instead of giving it to a new MLA.”

Deb and Ghosh headed this department in the first two terms of the government.

Mamata, however, inducted Sabina Yeasmin, an MLA from Malda, as the minister of state (MoS) of the NBDD. Yeasmin will also be the MoS of irrigation and waterways.

The number of representatives from north Bengal in the third cabinet of the Mamata government stayed the same  as the second formed in 2016, with five Trinamul MLAs — each from a different district.

The manner in which portfolios were given to the other four Trinamul MLAs of north Bengal shows Mamata is still focussed on the Rajbanshi and tribal populace, though most sided with the BJP this time.

She made Bulu Chil Baraik, the MLA of Malbazar (of Jalpaiguri), the MoS (independent charge) of backward classes’ welfare and tribal development. Ghulam Rabbani of Goalpokhor (of North Dinajpur) is the cabinet minister of minority affairs and madarsa education. “Rabbani is the sole MLA of north Bengal to be in the cabinet for the second time,” a political adviser said.

Biplab Mitra (of South Dinajpur) is the new minister for agricultural marketing. Paresh Chandra Adhikary (of Cooch Behar), a former Left Front minister, became the MoS of school education.