BJP Forms Cabinet in West Bengal with Regional and Caste Balance

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has formed its first cabinet in West Bengal, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and five other MLAs taking oath on Saturday. The new Ministers - Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Kshudiram Tudu, and Nisith Pramanik - represent different regions and castes, including Brahmin, OBC, Kayastha, Matua, and tribal communities.

The cabinet's regional representation includes South Bengal and North Bengal, with Mr. Pramanik being the only face from North Bengal. Mr. Tudu, the tribal face in the State Cabinet, took his oath in the Santali language.

The BJP won 207 seats in the 294-member House, ending the 15-year rule of the Trinamool Congress. The Trinamool Congress legislature party is yet to announce the Leader of Opposition, with Ballygunge MLA Sovandeb Chattopadhyay being considered a front runner for the post.

The cabinet expansion will be decided after the swearing-in of all newly elected MLAs, as the total number of Ministers cannot exceed 15% of the total number of members in the Legislative Assembly. The court will not be involved in this process, but the BJP legislature party will take a decision on the expansion of the Council of Ministers.