Kissa kursi ka: Chairs’ shift shows tectonic move in state politics

Kolkata: The hallowed halls of the Bengal Legislative Assembly witnessed a symbolic and literal power shift on Saturday. In a move that local observers are calling the ultimate ‘Kissa Kursi Ka', the furniture that once defined the previous administration was unceremoniously replaced to make way for the new order.The most striking change occurred in the chief minister's chamber, tucked away in the prestigious north-east corner of the assembly building. The chair used for over a decade by former CM Mamata Banerjee was moved out, replaced by the very chair used by Suvendu Adhikari during his tenure as the Leader of the Opposition in the 17th assembly.For many, the swap was more than just a logistical update; it was a profound statement on the change of guard. "A chair is not just a piece of furniture; it is a symbol of power and a matter of personal preference," an assembly official remarked while overseeing the transition. "Every leader has their own comfort and preference for where they sit to conduct the business of the state."The PWD worked through the morning to erase the remnants of the previous regime. The nameplate of Mamata Banerjee was replaced with a fresh one bearing the name of Adhikari. In the surrounding chambers, the portraits of the former CM — which once adorned almost every minister's chamber — were removed. Meanwhile, the nameplates of the incoming cabinet ministers remained neatly masked, awaiting their official unveiling.The assembly was a hive of activity on Saturday morning, fueled by reports that the new CM would head straight to the building to hold his first cabinet meeting. Security was at an all-time high, with every individual entering the premises subjected to rigorous frisking and searches.To honour the occasion, a giant portrait of Rabindranath Tagore was positioned prominently at the main hall, intended for the new CM to pay floral tributes. A group of women in traditional sarees stood ready to perform an impromptu recital of Tagore's works, complete with a choreographed dance.However, the atmosphere shifted when the heavy security "paraphernalia" was suddenly relaxed. "It became clear that the CM would not be visiting the assembly on his first day," a security official noted. "The schedule changed; he instead chose to visit Jorasanko, the birthplace of Tagore at the Rabindra Bharati University campus, to start his term."With the CM's arrival postponed, the celebratory energy dimmed. After the assembly secretary and the marshall paid their floral tributes to the bard, the performers retreated.The "swapping of chairs" serves as a stark reminder that in the theatre of Bengal politics, the stage has been reset, and a new protagonist has taken the centrestage.