North Bengal Gets Strong Representation in Expanded State Cabinet

MP, June 2, 2026, Siliguri: North Bengal secured unprecedented representation in the newly expanded West Bengal Cabinet, with ten legislators from the region being inducted as ministers.

The expanded Cabinet includes four Cabinet Ministers, one Minister of State (Independent Charge) and five Ministers of State from North Bengal. The Cabinet Ministers are Shankar Ghosh, Deepak Barman, Manoj Kumar Oraon and Nisith Pramanik.

Malati Rava Roy has been inducted as Minister of State (Independent Charge). She is the only woman minister from North Bengal.

The Ministers of State include Joel Murmu, Anandamay Barman, Vishal Lama, Kaushik Chowdhury and Biraj Biswas.

Dr. Shankar Ghosh and Anandamay Barman took oath on Monday at Lok Bhawan. A two-time MLA from Siliguri, Dr. Ghosh thanked the people of Siliguri and the party leadership for entrusting him with the responsibility.

“The citizens of Siliguri are my guardians. Whoever I am today is because of them. The party has shown faith in me and I am grateful. North Bengal will witness significant development,” he said.

Anandamay Barman, a long-time BJP worker associated with the RSS, also expressed gratitude to the party leadership. “I will try to fulfil all my responsibilities with sincerity and work for the people,” he said.

Alipurduar emerged as one of the biggest gainers in the Cabinet expansion, creating political history with three MLAs from the district being inducted into the ministry. Deepak Barman and Manoj Kumar Oraon were sworn in as Cabinet Ministers, while Vishal Lama became a Minister of State.

Political observers noted that it is the first time since Independence that Alipurduar has secured three ministerial berths simultaneously in the state Cabinet.

“Three MLAs from this district and two from neighbouring Cooch Behar have been made ministers with the objective of ensuring balanced development. We are grateful that the leadership has given importance to North Bengal,” said Deepak Barman.

Cooch Behar’s representation was further strengthened with the induction of Malati Rava Roy as Minister of State (Independent Charge), joining Cabinet Minister Nisith Pramanik.

Roy, a two-time MLA and former district BJP president, said she would discharge her responsibilities with full commitment.

Celebrations also erupted in Malda and Uttar Dinajpur districts. Joel Murmu described the occasion as “a memorable chapter” in his life and pledged to remain dedicated to public service.

Meanwhile, Kaushik Chowdhury and Biraj Biswas said they would focus on improving healthcare, generating employment and strengthening road and rural infrastructure.

The strong ministerial presence from North Bengal is being viewed as recognition of the region’s growing political importance and sustained electoral support for the BJP. Party leaders expressed confidence that the enhanced representation would help accelerate development projects and ensure greater attention to the aspirations of the people of the region.