Suvendu Adhikari named next West Bengal chief minister, set to lead BJP’s first government in state

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari was on May 8 officially named the next chief minister of West Bengal after being elected leader of the BJP legislature party in Kolkata.

The announcement was made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a key meeting attended by newly elected BJP MLAs and senior party leaders.

Adhikari is now set to head West Bengal’s first BJP government, marking a historic political shift in a state that has largely been dominated by the Left Front and later the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for decades.

The BJP secured a decisive majority in the 2026 Assembly election, ending Mamata Banerjee-led TMC’s 15-year rule in the state.

The BJP legislature party meeting was held in the presence of Amit Shah, who had arrived in Kolkata earlier in the day as the party’s central observer for the leadership election.

According to reports, Adhikari’s name received unanimous support from party MLAs during the meeting. Amit Shah later announced that no second name had been proposed for the post, effectively confirming Adhikari as the BJP’s chief ministerial choice.

Soon after being elected legislature party leader, Adhikari met Governor RN Ravi and staked claim to form the government. Reports said he submitted letters of support from BJP MLAs at Raj Bhavan ahead of the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for May 9 at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground.

Adhikari’s appointment marks a remarkable political rise in Bengal politics. Once considered one of Mamata Banerjee’s closest aides in the Trinamool Congress, he switched to the BJP ahead of the 2021 Assembly election and emerged as one of the saffron party’s most prominent faces in the state.

Over the last few years, he became central to BJP’s expansion strategy in Bengal and played a major role in the party’s 2026 campaign.

The BJP’s victory is being viewed as one of the biggest electoral shifts in recent Bengal history. Adhikari’s elevation also reflects the party’s decision to back a leader with strong organisational influence and direct experience in Bengal’s political landscape.

Reports noted that his aggressive campaigning style, familiarity with the TMC’s internal functioning and growing support base within the BJP helped strengthen his claim for the top post.

Preparations for the swearing-in ceremony have intensified across Kolkata ahead of the new government’s formation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, BJP president Nitin Nabin, Union ministers and chief ministers from BJP-ruled states are expected to attend the event at Brigade Parade Ground.

The transition of power has also triggered heightened political activity across the state. Governor R. N. Ravi had earlier dissolved the outgoing Assembly and cabinet following the election results, formally clearing the way for the BJP government to take office.

Meanwhile, political tensions remain high following the recent murder of Chandranath Rath, a close aide of Suvendu Adhikari. The incident has intensified the atmosphere ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, with BJP leaders alleging political violence while the TMC has denied the accusations.

Adhikari is expected to take oath as chief minister on May 9, formally ushering in the BJP era in West Bengal for the first time since the state’s formation.