West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on 1 July, National Doctors' Day, launched a sharp attack on the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, accusing it of systematically dismantling the state's healthcare infrastructure. Adhikari made the remarks at a function held at Bidhannagar Hospital on the northern outskirts of Kolkata on Wednesday morning.

Key Accusations Against the Previous Regime

Drawing a pointed historical comparison, Adhikari invoked the legacy of late Jyoti Basu, who, after assuming office as Chief Minister in 1977, reportedly acknowledged that every sphere of development he intended to pursue had already been initiated by late Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy — the second Chief Minister of West Bengal and the physician on whose birth anniversary National Doctors' Day is observed.

'And now after taking over as the Chief Minister, I can witness the devastation created by the previous Trinamool Congress in every sphere that I keep my hands on,' Adhikari said.

Healthcare Under Political Interference, Says CM

Adhikari alleged that the healthcare system was deeply neglected during the Banerjee-led tenure, attributing its deterioration to rampant nepotism and political interference. 'Such a neglected medical system in Bengal was not desirable. The healthcare system cannot function within an ambience of nepotism and favouritism,' he said.

He further pointed out that patients from West Bengal are disproportionately represented in major hospitals of other states — a situation he described as unacceptable given the state's intellectual and professional talent pool. 'In talent, the people of West Bengal can beat not only other Indian states but also some of the best developed countries in the world,' Adhikari claimed.

Ayushman Bharat Implementation as First Step

The Chief Minister highlighted the rollout of the Ayushman Bharat health scheme in West Bengal as a foundational reform of his government. The scheme had reportedly been blocked by the previous TMC administration. Adhikari described its implementation as the new government's first concrete step toward depoliticising and rebuilding the state's health sector.

Invoking Vivekananda on the Spirit of Medical Service

Adhikari also struck a philosophical note, citing Swami Vivekananda's teaching that human service is service to God. 'We now have to improve the healthcare system in West Bengal and take it to a new height,' he said, framing healthcare reform as both a governance imperative and a moral obligation.

What Comes Next

With the Ayushman Bharat rollout now underway, the Adhikari government faces the challenge of translating political rhetoric into measurable health outcomes — particularly in rural districts where public health infrastructure has long been under strain. How swiftly the new administration can reverse the alleged neglect will be closely watched by both citizens and political observers across the state.