Kolkata, 11 May (H.S.) : Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday met BJP’s West Bengal president Samik Bhattacharya at his Salt Lake residence ahead of the first cabinet meeting of the newly formed BJP government in the state.

According to BJP sources, the visit to Bhattacharya’s residence was not part of the official schedule. Adhikari reportedly went there as a courtesy call before both leaders proceeded to the party’s Sector V office for a pre-scheduled meeting.

Sayan Gangopadhyay, one of Bhattacharya’s personal assistants, said the Chief Minister and the state BJP president exchanged sweets and greetings during the meeting. Adhikari also interacted with Bhattacharya’s family members before the two leaders left together for the BJP office after having tea.

Later in the day, Adhikari is scheduled to chair the first cabinet meeting of the BJP government in West Bengal at Nabanna at 12 noon. Monday marks the first official working day of the state’s first BJP-led government following the swearing-in ceremony held at Brigade Parade Ground on Saturday.

Apart from the cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister has lined up multiple administrative review meetings throughout the day. Sources said Adhikari will first hold a review meeting with top state administrative officials, followed by a meeting with district magistrates.

In the afternoon, the Chief Minister is also expected to meet senior police officials, including the Director General of Police, the Kolkata Police Commissioner and senior officers from different police zones across the state.

At 4 pm, Adhikari is scheduled to hold another meeting at Nabanna with the BJP’s newly elected legislators.

Soon after taking oath on Saturday, the Chief Minister had already held an initial administrative review meeting at a temporary Public Works Department camp office in Dharmatala. The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Dushmant Nariala, Home Secretary Sanghamitra Ghosh and Director General of Police Siddhanath Gupta, during which Adhikari reviewed the overall law-and-order and administrative situation in the state.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh