Kolkata, 13 May (H.S.): Humayun Kabir, chief of the regional political outfit Am Janata Unnayan Party, on Wednesday praised newly sworn-in West Bengal Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari and expressed confidence that he would run the government in the interest of the people.

Reacting to the formation of the BJP-led government in the state, Kabir said he was “extremely happy” with the Assembly election results and claimed that his primary objective had been to remove the “corrupt government” led by former chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

“The people of Bengal have fulfilled that objective and I congratulate them for bringing political change in the state,” he said.

Targeting the previous Trinamool Congress government, Kabir said the people had voted decisively in favour of political change.

Speaking about Adhikari, Kabir said the new chief minister possessed significant political experience and had earlier served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly.

“I believe he will run an efficient government and work in the interest of common people,” he added.

Adhikari was sworn in as the first BJP chief minister of West Bengal on Saturday. Governor R. N. Ravi administered the oath of office and secrecy to him.

Along with Adhikari, Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Kshudiram Tudu and Nisith Pramanik also took oath as ministers in the new cabinet.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several Union ministers, NDA leaders and chief ministers from various states.

The 57-year-old Adhikari won both the Nandigram and Bhabanipur Assembly seats in the recently concluded elections. His victory over Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur by a margin of 15,115 votes drew significant political attention.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey