Kolkata, 09 May (H.S.) : Newly sworn-in West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday struck a statesmanlike tone, asserting that his government’s foremost priority would be to restore the state’s lost glory in education, culture and overall development, rather than engage in political criticism.

Speaking to mediapersons at the ancestral residence of Rabindranath Tagore at Jorasanko Thakur Bari, Adhikari said West Bengal had suffered significant setbacks over the years and required urgent rebuilding.

“Bengal has already suffered too many losses. The rich cultural heritage of West Bengal has been damaged to a great extent. The education sector has collapsed. My responsibility now is to rebuild West Bengal. The responsibilities are enormous, so I have no time to criticise others,” the Chief Minister said.

Adhikari visited Jorasanko to pay tribute to Tagore on the occasion of the Nobel laureate’s birth anniversary according to the Bengali calendar.

The Chief Minister also asserted that he would refrain from making controversial remarks while in office.

“Those who want to criticise can continue doing so. Let good sense prevail among people, especially among those who are still criticising the election results in West Bengal,” he added.

Calling it a matter of pride that he took oath as Chief Minister on Tagore’s birth anniversary, Adhikari said he sought the blessings of Gurudev before assuming office.

“Before taking responsibility as the Chief Minister, I offered prayers to Gurudev and sought his blessings,” he said.

Referring to Tagore’s iconic lines, “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high, where knowledge is free, where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls,” Adhikari said the verses had always inspired him.

Expressing confidence about the future of the state, the Chief Minister said West Bengal would now move steadily on the path of progress, development and fulfilment.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh