Kolkata, Nov 16 (NationPress) After being released from judicial custody related to the cash-for-job scandal, former West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee has set up a suggestion box outside his party office in Kolkata to collect public feedback regarding his political leadership.

Chatterjee, who previously served as the general secretary of the Trinamool Congress, is attempting to reconnect with the electorate as he looks to reclaim his position within the party.

This initiative is particularly important as the Trinamool Congress distanced itself from Chatterjee after suspending him following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in 2022 due to allegations in the School Service Commission recruitment corruption case.

Sources indicate that after being sidelined by the party, Chatterjee aims to understand public sentiment regarding his leadership, especially in light of the upcoming 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

The Manton party office had remained closed since Chatterjee's arrest, with even the temporary space he occupied being demolished. Now, a public suggestion box has been established outside this abandoned office, allowing individuals to voice their opinions or grievances against him.

Chatterjee's supporters have begun distributing leaflets throughout the Behala Paschim Assembly constituency, from which he was elected, asserting that anyone with evidence of wrongdoing should come forward.

In these leaflets, Chatterjee directly challenges, "From whom did I take money for a job? Provide proof. If anyone has taken money in my name, let me know. I will take action."

He maintains that the allegations of corruption against him are baseless and encourages the public to submit any evidence directly into the suggestion box.

Chatterjee continues to face trial regarding the teacher recruitment corruption case and has yet to receive a clean slate.

A close ally of Chatterjee stated, "He wants to understand both the positive and negative sentiments from the public. All feedback placed in the suggestion box will be shared with him."

On November 11, Chatterjee was granted bail after spending more than three years in custody related to the SSC recruitment corruption case.

The former state education minister was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate in July 2022 over his alleged involvement in a multi-crore SSC teacher recruitment scam.

On the day of his arrest, the ED discovered Rs 20 crore in cash at the residence of his associate Arpita Mukherjee, who was also arrested.

The central agency also confiscated critical documents pertaining to twelve properties associated with his close allies, as well as records linked to the appointment of Group D staff in schools.

In September of this year, the Calcutta High Court granted bail to Chatterjee while he was under the custody of the ED and CBI, before being placed into judicial custody.

Despite the bail order, Chatterjee's release was delayed due to a Supreme Court directive stipulating that he could only be freed after the trial court had concluded the examination of essential witnesses within a two-month timeframe.