Suvendu Adhikari attacks Mamata govt over Rajeev Kumar, questions “red-carpet treatment”

Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari launched a sharp attack on the West Bengal government after former Kolkata Police commissioner Rajeev Kumar visited the Election Commission office. Posting on the social media platform X, Adhikari questioned why Kumar received what he described as a “VIP-style reception” and salutes from police personnel.

In his post, Adhikari criticised Kumar’s past, alleging that the former officer had evaded accountability in earlier controversies and accusing him of protecting the interests of the ruling party while serving in uniform. The BJP leader described Kumar’s presence at the Election Commission office and the protocol extended to him as deeply troubling.

Adhikari also alleged that Kumar’s political advancement, including the prospect of a Rajya Sabha nomination, reflected what he called a “quid pro quo” arrangement with the ruling Trinamool Congress leadership. He claimed that Kumar’s career trajectory symbolised what he described as institutional decay under the state administration led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The post quickly triggered political reactions, adding another layer to the ongoing confrontation between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. The remarks highlight the continuing political battle over the role of former senior police officials and their alleged links with political leadership in the state.