Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Amit Shah Praises Suvendu Government During Siliguri Visit
Amit Shah visited the Siliguri area for three days.
He praised the new West Bengal government led by Suvendu Adhikari.
Shah said it had completed nearly 43 percent of the promises in its election manifesto.
He also praised four helplines for complaints about extortion, illegal charges and illegal liquor.
The government says it is improving security and fighting drugs and smuggling.
Shah held a meeting about protecting the Siliguri corridor, an important area near international borders.
Critics said the state still has serious problems, including violence, crime and protests over welfare benefits.
A Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader said the government had not done enough to deserve praise.
Amit Shah said West Bengal’s BJP government had completed nearly 43% of its election manifesto commitments after 100 days.
Shah praised the government’s security, welfare, anti-drug and anti-smuggling initiatives, including four public complaint helplines.
He held a high-level meeting on securing the strategically important Siliguri corridor and accelerating development there.
The government faces criticism over violence, alleged crime, protests over welfare benefits and claims that extortion continues.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Saman Pathak said there was little to praise and accused the BJP of encouraging violence and highhandedness.
- Who
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, state officials and central security-force leaders; the government was criticized by Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Saman Pathak.
- What
- Shah praised the government’s first 100 days, while holding meetings on governance, public complaints and Siliguri corridor security.
- When
- During Amit Shah’s three-day visit, which ended on Saturday; the manifesto assessment was given on Friday.
- Where
- Siliguri and areas around it in West Bengal, including Kawakhali.
- Why
- Shah said the government was advancing security, public welfare and manifesto commitments, while the corridor meeting addressed security near international borders.
Government Supporters
Government Critics
Performance after 100 days
Government Supporters
Amit Shah said the Bharatiya Janata Party government had completed nearly 43% of its election manifesto commitments and was making rapid progress.
Government Critics
Saman Pathak said people were already protesting against the government and that there was hardly anything to praise.
Security and governance
Government Supporters
Shah highlighted improved security in areas affected by former leftist-extremist influence, anti-drug measures, action against smuggling and the four complaint helplines.
Government Critics
Pathak accused the BJP of highhandedness, alleged that it had instigated violence at Jadavpur University and said extortion was still continuing.
Public welfare and law and order
Government Supporters
Shah said the initiatives would strengthen good governance and security, while the government presented the helplines as a way to free people from extortion.
Government Critics
The government was facing scrutiny over violence, serious criminal incidents and women’s protests over alleged denial of Annapurna Yojana benefits.
- Manifesto progress
- Amit Shah said the government had completed nearly 43% of its election manifesto commitments.
- Government tenure
- The praise concerned Suvendu Adhikari’s approximately 100-day-old government.
- Complaint helplines
- Four toll-free helplines were launched for complaints about cut money, illegal syndicates, illegal road or toll taxes and illegal liquor sales.
- Security initiatives
- Shah cited anti-drug campaigns, action against animal, weapons and counterfeit-currency smuggling, and monitoring of major electoral-violence cases.
- Siliguri corridor
- A high-level meeting addressed security and development in the strategically important corridor near international borders.
- Criticism
- Saman Pathak said violence and extortion continued and that there was little to praise.