Swapan Dasgupta to oversee Education department

MP, May 14, 2026, Kolkata : Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has asked Rashbehari MLA Swapan Dasgupta to temporarily oversee matters related to the Education Department, sparking speculation that Dasgupta may eventually be entrusted with the portfolio formally in the newly formed BJP government in Bengal.

So far, only five elected MLAs have been given ministerial portfolios.

According to sources, during a review meeting with secretaries, Adhikari asked Dasgupta to supervise the department’s functioning and coordinate with officials of the department until further instructions.

In Bengal’s political landscape, Dasgupta has long been regarded as one of the prominent intellectual faces associated with the BJP. Over the years, he has remained active in journalism, political commentary and parliamentary politics.

He was also widely recognised as one of the BJP’s leading English-language spokespersons in the media.

Dasgupta formally entered Bengal’s electoral politics during the 2021 Assembly elections, when he contested from Tarakeswar on a BJP ticket but lost to the Trinamool Congress candidate.

In the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, he contested from Kolkata’s Rashbehari constituency and defeated Debasish Kumar.

Dasgupta, when contacted, did not comment on the matter.

The Chief Minister said the Urban Development Department and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation had been directed to demolish the illegal structure within a day with the help of Kolkata Police.

KMC was also instructed to disconnect water supply to such dangerous and illegal factories.

Adhikari said the state government had directed CESC Limited to conduct an internal audit of similar establishments, particularly in Tiljala, Kasba, Mominpur and Ekbalpur, and permanently disconnect power supply to factories functioning without approved building plans.

“We have taken a zero-tolerance stand on illegal buildings and factories. Those involved in such activities have been urged to refrain from them,” he said.

The Chief Minister said two persons, including the factory owner, had been arrested on Wednesday in connection with the Tiljala incident.

Soon after the demolition order, KMC began razing the G+4 building on GJ Khan Road in Tiljala with assistance from Kolkata Police and central forces. The first and second floors housed a leather factory, while the top floor was used as residential space.