The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has officially announced Suvendu Adhikari as the next Chief Minister of West Bengal following a crucial legislature party meeting in Kolkata attended by Amit Shah.
The announcement comes after days of intense political speculation over who would lead Bengal’s first BJP government. Adhikari, who emerged as the frontrunner after the BJP’s historic victory in the Assembly elections, was formally chosen during the high-level meeting held under Shah’s supervision.
The BJP’s victory marks a major political shift in West Bengal, ending nearly 15 years of Trinamool Congress (TMC) rule under Mamata Banerjee. Party leaders described the moment as historic, with preparations already underway for the swearing-in ceremony scheduled at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground on May 9. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several senior NDA leaders are expected to attend the event.
Political tensions, however, remain high in the state. The TMC has continued to question recent administrative and assembly-related developments involving Governor RN Ravi, accusing the BJP of attempting to aggressively consolidate power after the election outcome.
Adhikari, once a prominent TMC leader before joining the BJP, played a key role in expanding the saffron party’s influence across Bengal. His appointment is being viewed as a strategic move aimed at balancing organizational strength, grassroots support, and regional leadership within the BJP.
Security arrangements across Kolkata have been significantly increased ahead of the oath-taking ceremony, with thousands of police personnel deployed around key venues due to the massive gathering expected for the historic political event.
