Kolkata, May 10 (IANS) A day after his Trinamool Congress named him as its head in the West Bengal Assembly, making him the new Leader of Opposition, veteran leader Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay on Sunday requested the newly sworn-in BJP government in the state to continue the schemes launched by the previous government.

Speaking to IANS, Chattopadhyay urged that since Kolkata is called “Mini-India”, everyone should be treated equally, irrespective of caste, class or religion.

“The atrocities being committed against the common man must stop immediately. These atrocities are being inflicted upon the poor, and all of it must end. This is my request to the government leaders and the Chief Minister,” he said.

“Kolkata is often called ‘Mini India’ — people of all castes and creeds live together. This is true throughout Bengal. Everyone must be viewed through the same lens, as citizens of the country,” he added.

Chattopadhyay further asserted that one should not look at someone based on whether they are Hindu, Muslim, Christian, or Sikh, or whether they are from an upper or lower caste. “Everyone must be treated equally so that our democratic rights are protected,” he said.

Referring to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s oath, the Trinamool leader said: “He (Adhikari) had said that he would abide by the Constitution. All Ministers have to take this oath. I also believe that whatever is mentioned in the Constitution, each person should be treated equally. “

He highlighted that the current schemes, which are being availed by people in the state, should not be stopped.

“It is my request that whatever the government had granted should not be taken back,” he said.

Chattopadhyay stated that it is the duty of all political parties to face the situation at hand.

Referring to the Trinamool’s defeat in the Assembly polls, he said: “Today we have to face this situation also. Earlier too, I have been in the Opposition for a long time, from 1991 to 2011.”

About central paramilitary forces deployed in the state, he remarked: “I don’t have any faith in the central forces. We saw how they worked during the election.”

Apart from the new LoP, the Trinamool Congress appointed former minister Firhad Hakim as the Chief Whip and Asima Patra and Nayna Bandyopadhyay as Deputy Leaders of the Opposition.

–IANS

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