Kolkata, May 9 (BNP): Suvendu Adhikari has been formally elected as the BJP legislature party leader in West Bengal and is set to take oath as the new Chief Minister, marking the party’s first-ever government in the state following a decisive electoral victory.
The BJP secured 207 seats in the 294-member Assembly, bringing an end to 15 years of Trinamool Congress rule led by Mamata Banerjee. Adhikari’s elevation came after a unanimous decision during the BJP legislature party meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who stated that all MLAs supported a single name for the Chief Minister’s post.
Soon after being elected leader, Adhikari met the Governor and formally staked claim to form the new government. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to be held at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several senior NDA leaders are expected to attend.
Adhikari’s political rise has been marked by a series of high-profile electoral victories against Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram and Bhabanipur, including a symbolic win in her traditional stronghold. Once regarded as a key strategist within the Trinamool Congress, Adhikari joined the BJP in 2020 and rapidly emerged as the party’s most influential face in West Bengal.
Known for his strong organisational network, deep understanding of Bengal politics, and aggressive campaign strategy, Adhikari played a central role in the BJP’s successful electoral push across the state. His appointment as Chief Minister is being viewed as a major political milestone for the BJP in eastern India and signals a new chapter in West Bengal’s political landscape.
