CM Suvendu holds maiden public grievance hearing

PTI, May 18, 2026, Kolkata: Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday held his first 'janata darbar', listening to public grievances and demands at the BJP's state office in Salt Lake.

The outreach initiative is designed to signal a governance model centred on direct citizen access — a format often associated with BJP-ruled states and one that the party sought to project as part of its "double-engine" narrative in Bengal.

The programme was announced unexpectedly around 9 am by the BJP, with Adhikari reaching the party office within 45 minutes.

The 'janata darbar' continued for around an hour. Several people, including students and locals, attended the interaction and spoke to the Chief Minister individually behind closed doors, submitting complaints ranging from local civic issues to allegations of syndicate-related pressure.

Sources in the state secretariat, Nabanna, had indicated earlier that Adhikari planned to hold 'janata darbar' sessions for two hours once or twice a week, although no schedule or venue had officially been announced till Monday morning.

Among those present at the citizen interaction were BJP leaders Locket Chatterjee and Shashi Agnihotri.

Political observers viewed Monday's exercise as an attempt by the new administration to establish a visible connection with people and reinforce the image of a government willing to hear grievances without bureaucratic layers.

Outside the venue of the 'janata darbar' in Salt Lake, some attendees claimed that they felt a sense of relief after being heard by the Chief Minister personally.