The story of Writers Building, where BJP wants to shift the power of Bengal, when did Mamata make Nabanna the CM office?

Once again a big debate has started in the politics of West Bengal regarding the symbols of power. BJP is preparing to shift the Chief Minister’s Office and State Secretariat from Nabanna in Howrah to the historic Writers Building. about two hundred and fifty years old Writers’ Building It was once the biggest center of power in Bengal, from where Congress and Left Front governments ruled for decades. But in 2013, Mamata Banerjee shifted the secretariat to Nabanna.

As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) registers a landslide victory in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections after 15 years of Trinamool Congress rule, an important question being raised is whether the saffron party will run the government from Howrah’s ‘Nabanna’ or from Kolkata’s historic ‘Writers Building’. At present, BJP is looking at it not just as an administrative change but by linking it to the historical identity and political heritage of Bengal. In such a situation, the question is arising that what is the history of Writers Building and why is it considered so important in the politics of Bengal?

1. What is the history of Writers Building and why is it special?

Writers Building is not only a government building, but also the biggest symbol of Bengal’s political, administrative and colonial heritage. This building was built in 1777 by the British East India Company for its “writers” i.e. clerks and administrative employees. For this reason it was named Writers Building. Gradually this building became the main center of British administration and later started being used as the secretariat of the Government of West Bengal in independent India.

Since independence till 2013, almost every Chief Minister ran the government from this building. From the Congress rule to the 34 years of Left rule, the Writers’ Building remained the real center of power in Bengal. This was the place from where big leaders like Jyoti Basu, Buddhadev Bhattacharya ran the administration. In Bengal politics, this building has been seen not just as an office but as a “symbol of power”.

2. When was the Chief Minister’s Office created and why was it so important?

The official office of the Chief Minister of West Bengal remained in the Writers’ Building for decades. Especially the first and second floors were the center of administrative activities. Important ministries like Chief Minister’s Office, Chief Secretary, Finance and Home Department used to operate in this complex.

The Writers’ Building also had an emotional significance in the political culture of Bengal. This building has been a witness to every era from British rule to leftist politics. Even during the independence movement, the name of this building remained in discussions. In 1930, revolutionaries Benoy Basu, Badal Gupta and Dinesh Gupta attacked British officer Simpson here. Therefore this building is also considered a part of the political consciousness of Bengal.

3. When and why was the CM office shifted from Writers’ Building to Nabanna?

After coming to power in 2011, Mamata Banerjee started major changes in the administrative structure. In October 2013, he shifted the State Secretariat and Chief Minister’s Office from the Writers’ Building to Nabanna.

Many administrative reasons were given by the government behind this. The Writers’ Building was quite old, there was lack of space, parking and security arrangements were also not considered adequate according to modern needs. Apart from this, large parts of the building were in need of repair and reconstruction.

Nabanna is a modern administrative building located in Howrah, which was initially developed to house other departments of the state government. Later it started being used as the Chief Minister’s office and secretariat. Mamata government’s argument was that the new building is more modern, technically capable and administratively convenient.

Gradually Nabanna became a symbol of Mamata Banerjee’s politics and administrative style. Just as the Writers’ Building was the identity of the Left Front regime, similarly Nabanna became the identity of the Trinamool Congress government.

Regarding the Nabanna high-rise building, before the elections, PM Narendra Modi had alleged that the TMC government of West Bengal is being run not from the state secretariat but by criminals sheltered by the party.

Earlier, BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya was quoted as saying that BJP will run the administration from Writers Building only. He said that BJP had made it clear in 2021 itself that if the party comes to power, it will run the government from the Writers’ Building only.

4. Why does BJP want to go back to Writers’ Building from Nabanna?

Now, amidst the possibility of change of power in Bengal, BJP is again talking about making Writers’ Building the center of power. Party leaders believe that to revive the historical identity and administrative heritage of Bengal, it is necessary to bring back the Chief Minister’s office.

BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya has also publicly said that the party has been talking about running the government from the Writers’ Building for a long time. The party is presenting this not just as an administrative decision but as a “connection with the soul of Bengal”.

BJP believes that when the Secretariat was removed from the Writers’ Building, the people of Bengal were emotionally hurt. The party wants to connect this feeling politically. There is also a big symbolic message behind this. Apart from Mamata Banerjee’s administrative model, the CM office has to be given a new administrative and political identity.

In fact, this step is not just a matter of changing the office, but can also be a message of changing the power culture of Bengal. BJP wants to establish the Writers’ Building as a symbol of Bengal’s historical pride and administrative continuity.

5. Writers’ Building for CM office Is Ready?

According to sources, preparations are currently underway to start Block 1 and 2 of Writers’ Building soon. Flooring and repair work on the second floor is almost complete. There is a possibility that in future the Chief Minister’s office can be built on the second floor because there is enough open and large administrative space there.

However, work is still underway on the first floor, where former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s office once stood. The cost of the entire repair project is said to be around Rs 102 crore.

According to Public Works Department officials, it is not possible to commission the entire building at once. Some engineering offices will have to be shifted to another place. But if BJP comes to power, then efforts to make the Writers’ Building the center of power in Bengal may intensify again.

The fight in Bengal is now not just electoral but has reached the politics of symbols and legacy. On one hand Nabanna is the identity of “Mamata era”, on the other hand Writers’ Building is a symbol of the historical power center of Bengal. Now it has to be seen from which building the politics of Bengal will be governed in future.