Suvendu Adhikari urges politically neutral administration, says government will not use officers for political purposes

PTI, July 2, 2026, Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday said his government would not use the administration for political purposes and urged WBCS (Executive) officers to maintain neutrality and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

Addressing a meeting of WBCS (Executive) officers at the Dhan Dhanya Auditorium here, Adhikari said the administration should function independently and work towards restoring public confidence.

"I will not use you. I will not turn you into political workers during elections," the CM said.

He said the administration must remain free from political influence and function in a manner that strengthens people’s trust in governance.

The CM alleged that in the past, some officers at the lower levels had become involved in corrupt practices due to fear, pressure and other circumstances, and emphasised the need to restore public faith in the administrative machinery.

Criticising the functioning of the previous Trinamool Congress government, Adhikari also alleged that many officers had been forced to work under a political culture for years.

He said his government's objective was to bring about a change by building a professional and politically neutral administration.

Referring to former IAS officer Subrata Gupta, the Chief Minister claimed that despite holding important responsibilities under the previous government, Gupta had been compelled to leave the state.

He said the present government had brought Gupta back as the Chief Minister's Principal Adviser.

Adhikari also said that his government believed in treating government employees with dignity.

"After taking charge as Chief Minister, I have held several administrative meetings, but I have never humiliated any officer," he said.

The Chief Minister further alleged that under the previous dispensation, IAS and IPS officers were made to sit on political platforms and speak against the PM and the Union Home Minister.

"Our government wants to end that culture and give the administration the opportunity to function in a constitutional and politically neutral manner," Adhikari said.