Thu Jan 01 21:58:01 UTC 2026: Summary:
West Bengal’s Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, claims he has approached the Calcutta High Court 104 times since the 2021 Assembly Elections to obtain permission for rallies and political events. He alleges the police routinely deny permission to stifle opposition voices, a practice he attributes to the Mamata Banerjee administration’s abuse of power. Adhikari expects to file many more appeals before the upcoming 2026 Assembly Elections.
News Article:
West Bengal Opposition Leader Claims 104 High Court Appeals for Rally Permits, Alleges “Dictatorship”
KOLKATA – January 2, 2026: Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, has accused the state government of suppressing democratic rights after claiming he has had to petition the Calcutta High Court 104 times to secure permission for political rallies and events since the 2021 elections.
In a statement released Thursday (January 1), the BJP leader asserted that the police regularly deny permission to opposition parties, specifically targeting the BJP, in an attempt to silence dissent. He accused the Mamata Banerjee administration of “blatant abuse of power” and described the situation as “dictatorship in disguise.”
“After the 2021 Assembly Elections in West Bengal, I had to knock on the doors of the High Court no less than 104 times,” Adhikari stated. He further predicted that he would likely reach a “double century in appeals before the Court” before the 2026 Assembly Elections.
Political observers have noted the shrinking political space in West Bengal, highlighting the difficulties faced by opposition parties in holding rallies. Adhikari’s claims will likely further fuel the debate over the state’s political climate as the upcoming Assembly Elections draw near.
First Piper 