Suvendu Adhikari Named West Bengal Chief Minister After BJP's Election Victory

Suvendu Adhikari was formally elected Leader of the BJP's West Bengal Legislative Party on Friday, paving the way for him to become Chief Minister, after the party secured a majority in the recent state assembly elections. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, appointed central observer for the legislature party meeting in Kolkata, announced Adhikari's selection in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and senior party leaders.

Adhikari, a former Trinamool Congress leader and close aide to Mamata Banerjee, joined the BJP in December 2020 and defeated Banerjee in Nandigram in 2021 and later in Bhabanipur by over 15,000 votes. His rise marks a significant political reversal in West Bengal, ending the Trinamool's 15-year rule and delivering one of the most consequential electoral shifts in the state's recent history.

The BJP is expected to appoint two deputy chief ministers, a post not held in West Bengal for over two decades, with Agnimitra Paul and Shankar Ghosh among the leading contenders. Home Minister Shah held separate meetings with both ahead of the announcement.

Governor RN Ravi dissolved the state assembly on Thursday, clearing the way for the new government. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Saturday at Kolkata's Brigade Parade Grounds, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president J.P. Nadda, and several chief ministers expected to attend.