Suvendu Adhikari Named West Bengal’s Next Chief Minister, To Lead First BJP Government In The State

In a significant moment for West Bengal politics, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Friday that Suvendu Adhikari will be the state’s next Chief Minister. The declaration came during the Bharatiya Janata Party’s legislature party meeting held at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in New Town, Kolkata. Addressing the newly elected BJP MLAs, Shah said the proposal for the leadership position contained only one name - that of Suvendu Adhikari. “The proposal had only his name,” the Home Minister stated, reflecting the strong consensus within the party. The meeting, chaired by Shah, formally elected Adhikari as the leader of the BJP legislature party, paving the way for the formation of the state’s first BJP government.

Suvendu Adhikari, 55, brings a wealth of political and administrative experience to the role. A native of Purba Medinipur district, he began his career with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and quickly rose through the ranks under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He served in her cabinet, holding key ministerial portfolios that gave him direct experience in governance and state administration - a distinction that sets him apart as the only leader in the Bengal BJP unit with such hands-on expertise in running the state machinery.

In a dramatic political realignment, Adhikari resigned from the TMC in December 2020 and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections. His entry into the BJP, formalised on December 19, 2020, in the presence of Amit Shah himself, was widely seen as a major jolt to challenge the TMC’s dominance. Adhikari has since emerged as one of the BJP’s most influential faces in Bengal, known for his strong grassroots connect, particularly in the Nandigram region. He was the leader of opposition in the last tenure of Mamata Banerjee between 2021 and 2026. 

The announcement at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre marks the culmination of days of speculation following the BJP’s historic victory in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, ending 15 years of TMC rule. Adhikari will take oath as Chief Minister on Saturday, May 9, in a grand ceremony at the Brigade Parade Ground, with senior national leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance.

Party workers and supporters have welcomed the decision, viewing Adhikari’s elevation as a strategic choice that combines local roots, proven administrative experience, and unwavering loyalty to the BJP’s vision for Bengal. Further details on the cabinet formation are expected to be finalised in the coming days. As Amit Shah announced Suvendu’s name, the crowd inside the convention centre erupted in cheer. “This is the victory of democracy and BJP will stay committed in fulfilling all our promises to the people of Bengal”, said Amit Shah during his speech