Suvendu Adhikari elected BJP Legislature Party leader in Bengal and set to take oath as West Bengal Chief Minister on May 9, 2026 after BJP’s historic election victory.
Suvendu Adhikari elected BJP Legislature Party leader in Bengal; oath ceremony scheduled in Kolkata on May 9, 2026
Suvendu Adhikari Becomes West Bengal Chief Minister After BJP’s Historic Victory
Qalam Times News Network | Kolkata | May 8, 2026
In a landmark political development, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Suvendu Adhikari was unanimously elected as the leader of the BJP Legislature Party in West Bengal on Friday, paving the way for him to become the state’s first BJP Chief Minister. The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled to take place on May 9, 2026, at Kolkata’s historic Brigade Parade Grounds.
The announcement was made during a BJP legislature party meeting held in Kolkata in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who attended as the central observer. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi was also present as co-observer for the crucial meeting.
Senior BJP leader and former West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh formally proposed Suvendu Adhikari’s name for the top post, which received unanimous support from the newly elected legislators.
Addressing party leaders and elected representatives, Amit Shah officially declared Adhikari as the BJP Legislature Party leader and said the people of West Bengal had placed their trust in the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a new political direction in the state.
The BJP’s massive victory in the recently concluded Assembly elections has ended the Trinamool Congress government’s 15-year rule in West Bengal. The result is being viewed as one of the most significant political shifts in the state’s modern history.
During his speech, Shah said the BJP’s victory represented the aspirations of Bengal’s voters who wanted political change and democratic freedom. He also described the new administration as a government inspired by the ideals of Syama Prasad Mukherjee.
Suvendu Adhikari’s Rise to Power
The appointment of Suvendu Adhikari as West Bengal Chief Minister marks the culmination of a remarkable political journey. Once considered one of Mamata Banerjee’s closest associates in the Trinamool Congress, Adhikari joined the BJP in December 2020 after differences with the party leadership.
Since then, he has emerged as one of the BJP’s strongest faces in Bengal politics. His political stature increased significantly after defeating Mamata Banerjee in the high-profile Nandigram Assembly election in 2021. In the latest elections, he further strengthened his position by securing victory from Bhabanipur, considered a traditional Trinamool Congress stronghold.
Political observers believe Adhikari’s organisational skills, grassroots network, and aggressive campaign strategy played a crucial role in the BJP’s breakthrough in West Bengal.
Two Deputy Chief Ministers Likely
Sources within the BJP indicated that the party leadership is considering appointing two Deputy Chief Ministers in the new government. One of the posts is expected to go to a woman leader.
Among the frontrunners are Agnimitra Paul, who won from Asansol Dakshin, and Shankar Ghosh, who emerged victorious from Siliguri. Reports suggest Amit Shah held separate discussions with both leaders regarding the possible structure of the new cabinet.
If implemented, this would mark the return of the Deputy Chief Minister’s post in Bengal after nearly two decades. The last prominent leader to hold the position was Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee during the Left Front government led by Jyoti Basu.
Grand Swearing-In Ceremony Planned in Kolkata
Preparations are underway for a grand oath-taking ceremony at Brigade Parade Grounds on Saturday at 11 AM. Several top BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, and Chief Ministers from BJP-ruled states, are expected to attend the event.
Governor RN Ravi dissolved the outgoing Assembly on Thursday, formally clearing the constitutional path for the formation of the new government.
The emergence of Suvendu Adhikari as West Bengal Chief Minister is being seen as a defining moment in Bengal politics, signaling the beginning of a new political era in the state after years of Trinamool Congress dominance.
