Bengal Prepares for a Historic Political Transition as Suvendu Adhikari Set to Take Oath as Chief Minister

KalimNews, May 8, 2026, Kolkata : A major political shift is unfolding in West Bengal as Suvendu Adhikari has formally staked his claim to form the first BJP-led government in the state. Shortly after being elected leader of the BJP Legislative Party, Adhikari met Governor R.N. Ravi at Raj Bhavan on Friday evening to submit his claim to form the new government.

The Governor subsequently invited him to take oath as Chief Minister on May 9 at Kolkata’s iconic Brigade Parade Ground, where a grand swearing-in ceremony is set to take place.

Adhikari arrived at Lok Bhavan just hours after his unanimous election as legislative party leader in a meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He was accompanied by several senior BJP leaders from West Bengal, including Dilip Ghosh, Locket Chatterjee, and Tapas Roy.

The swearing-in ceremony is expected to be one of the largest political events in recent state history. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior Union ministers, and nearly 20 Chief Ministers from BJP-ruled states are likely to attend, highlighting the national significance of the BJP’s breakthrough victory in Bengal.

Addressing supporters after being chosen for the top post, Adhikari said that Bengal had voted for trust, development, and a new direction. He described the electoral mandate as historic and assured citizens that the new government would work to implement every major promise outlined in the party’s election manifesto.

Widely regarded as one of the architects behind the BJP’s rapid rise in West Bengal, Adhikari has emerged as a central figure in the state’s changing political landscape.

BJP leader Agnimitra Paul welcomed his appointment, calling him the most suitable choice to lead the state. She stated that Adhikari had fought consistently both inside and outside the Assembly over the last five years and emphasized that all 207 BJP MLAs must now focus on governance and delivery without delay.

According to party insiders, the BJP is also considering appointing two Deputy Chief Ministers, with one of the posts likely to go to a woman legislator. This move is being viewed as part of a broader effort to ensure administrative balance and wider political representation.

Several names are reportedly under consideration for cabinet positions, including Dilip Ghosh, Rudranil Ghosh, Rupa Ganguly, Agnimitra Paul, Swapan Dasgupta, Tapas Roy, Dr. Indranil Khan, Dr. Sharadwat Mukherjee, Shankar Ghosh, Nishith Pramanik, Jagannath Chatterjee, and retired IPS officer Rajesh Kumar, among others.

The party is also expected to prioritize representation from North Bengal, as well as leaders from forest and tribal belts across parts of South Bengal, by including them in ministerial and minister of state roles.

Notably, the new government is not expected to include any ministers from the Muslim community, as the BJP did not field Muslim candidates across any of the 294 Assembly constituencies.

The venue itself carries immense historical and symbolic value. Brigade Parade Ground, located in the heart of Kolkata, has long been a landmark in Bengal’s political history. Since the 1950s, the sprawling ground has hosted major public gatherings attended by global political figures such as Nikita Khrushchev, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and Hugo Chávez.

Traditionally associated with large Left Front rallies and later major opposition mobilisations led by Mamata Banerjee, the ground is now preparing to host what many see as a defining moment in Bengal’s political evolution.

As preparations continue under rainproof hangars and extensive security arrangements across the Maidan, Kolkata is set to witness a ceremony marking not just a change in government, but a significant ideological transition in the state’s history.

With this development, West Bengal becomes another state to witness its first BJP-led government under a BJP Chief Minister, further expanding the party’s regional footprint in eastern India.