New Delhi, May 10 (IANS) Senior BJP leader and Bihar Minister Dilip Kumar Jaiswal on Sunday termed the formation of the first BJP government in West Bengal as a “historic moment”, claiming that the state had finally been freed from decades of political and developmental decline under previous regimes.

Speaking to IANS a day after Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Jaiswal said the new dispensation would work towards fulfilling the dream of a “Viksit Bengal” under a double-engine government led by the BJP both at the Centre and in the state.

“Yesterday was a very historic day for Bengal. In the presence of the world’s most popular leader and India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and with the blessings of the people, Suvendu Adhikari took charge as Chief Minister of Bengal,” Jaiswal told IANS.

He further alleged that successive governments led by the Communist parties, Congress and the All India Trinamool Congress had pushed the state backwards over the last several decades.

“The way the Trinamool Congress and, I would say, over the past 70 years, the Communist parties, Congress and Trinamool Congress have pushed Bengal backwards and destroyed development there, Bengal has now got freedom from such people. In the coming days, with a double-engine government, the dream of a developed Bengal will be fulfilled,” he added.

Echoing similar sentiments, senior BJP leader and newly inducted minister Dilip Ghosh said rebuilding the state would be the government’s top priority.

“The priority is to rebuild Bengal in a new way, as many systems have deteriorated. Law and order is weak, and people have been living in fear for many years. Education is not in good condition, the health system has declined, and there is very little industry or employment,” Ghosh said.

Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday took oath as the Chief Minister of the first BJP-ruled government in West Bengal, along with five other members of the state Council of Ministers.

The other ministers sworn in included former BJP state president Dilip Ghosh, fashion designer-turned-politician and BJP legislator Agnimitra Paul, former Union Minister of State for Home Nisith Pramanik, besides Ashok Kirtania and Khudiram Tudu.

Ghosh was the second leader after Adhikari to take the oath, followed by Paul, Kirtania, Tudu and Pramanik.

In the recently concluded Assembly elections, the BJP secured major victories in constituencies dominated by Matua and tribal voters, contributing significantly to the party’s historic win in the state.

–IANS

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