CM Mamata orders pre-approval for Minister's event attendance to prevent controversies in 2025

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has issued a new directive requiring all state ministers to obtain prior approval from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat before attending any public event, meeting, or gathering starting in 2025. The policy aims to prevent ministers from participating in controversial events or associating with individuals involved in financial or other misconducts, safeguarding the government’s image. This decision follows a recent incident where a minister attended an event alongside individuals with allegations of financial fraud, which caused discomfort within the state administration.

Sources indicate that the controversial event in question involved a minister being publicly honored by individuals with known allegations of financial corruption and other legal issues. The event and the individuals involved gained significant attention after photos from the gathering circulated, putting the government under scrutiny. The Chief Minister, after being alerted to the situation, instructed her office to implement a policy ensuring such incidents would not recur.

The new policy stipulates that ministers must provide detailed information about the events they plan to attend, including the participants and purpose of the gathering. This information will be reviewed by the Chief Minister's Secretariat, which will assess whether the event is appropriate for a minister’s participation. If the event is deemed controversial or problematic, approval will be denied, and ministers will be instructed to refrain from attending. This measure is intended to minimize the risk of any future public backlash or association with individuals facing criminal or financial allegations.

The directive has been put in place as part of the state government’s broader strategy ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections. With elections approaching, the Chief Minister has focused on maintaining a clean image for the government, especially as the ruling party aims to build on its development initiatives and welfare programs. Ministers will also be held accountable for their public associations, and their eligibility for re-election could be affected if they are linked to controversial figures.

This policy is set to be enforced immediately, with all ministers expected to adhere to the new rules in 2025. The Chief Minister’s Secretariat will oversee the approval process, ensuring that ministers do not attend any events that could compromise the government's integrity or public trust. By establishing clear guidelines, the directive seeks to protect the state administration from any further controversies as the election season approaches.