South 24 Paragnas, 16 May (H.S.): Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday began his first district tour after assuming office, choosing Diamond Harbour — the Lok Sabha constituency represented by Abhishek Banerjee — as the starting point of his administrative outreach.

The chief minister held a meeting with district administration officials at the state-run tourist lodge ‘Sagarika’ in Diamond Harbour. South 24 Parganas District Magistrate, Diamond Harbour Police District Superintendent and other senior officials attended the meeting. Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal was also present.

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress MLA from Diamond Harbour Pannalal Halder reportedly went to meet the chief minister but could not meet him and later returned.

As chief minister, Suvendu Adhikari has reportedly placed the “Diamond Harbour model” under close scrutiny. During the meeting, he interacted with senior district officials as well as officers from all police stations in the district.

Law and order in the district has frequently come under criticism in recent months, with allegations of post-poll violence surfacing repeatedly. On Friday, TMC MLA Pannalal Halder had also raised the issue in the Assembly.

Sources said the chief minister is likely to issue directions on several issues, including infiltration and post-poll violence.

Meanwhile, with elections approaching in Falta Assembly constituency, the BJP has scheduled a workers’ meeting there after the administrative review meeting. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is expected to be the main speaker at the event.

After the Falta programme, the chief minister is also scheduled to visit Nandigram. Adhikari had won both the Nandigram and Bhabanipur Assembly seats in the recent elections but vacated the Nandigram seat in accordance with electoral rules.

Despite relinquishing the seat, the chief minister said he would continue to oversee the development of Nandigram personally.

“I will not let the people of Nandigram feel that I am no longer their MLA. I will personally ensure that all development promises made during the elections are fulfilled,” Adhikari said.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey