Putting an end to widespread speculation, the first BJP government in West Bengal has not appointed any Deputy Chief Minister, at least for now. The development came after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari chaired the cabinet’s first meeting on Monday and subsequently allocated portfolios to his ministers.
In the new cabinet, senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh has been assigned the Rural Development Department. Agnimitra Paul has been given charge of Women and Child Welfare, along with Municipal and Urban Development. Ashok Kirtania, MLA from Bongaon North, has been entrusted with the Food and Supplies Department, while Nisith Pramanik will handle North Bengal Development, Sports, and Youth Welfare. Khudiram Tudu, MLA from Ranibandh in Bankura, has been assigned the Tribal Development portfolio.
Key departments such as Home (Police), Finance, Health, Agriculture, and Information & Broadcasting will, for the time being, remain under the direct control of the Chief Minister. Officials indicated that the cabinet is likely to be expanded after the election of the Pro-tem Speaker and the swearing-in of MLAs in the Assembly later this week.
Also read: Adhikari’s first cabinet meet: Jobs, health, security in focus
Speculation over the appointment of Deputy Chief Ministers had been rife since the announcement of the election results, with names such as Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, and Shankar Ghosh being discussed. However, political observers noted that such a move was unlikely in West Bengal, where the BJP enjoys a clear majority and is not dependent on coalition partners, unlike in states such as Maharashtra or Bihar, where Deputy Chief Minister posts are often created to accommodate alliance dynamics.
Analysts also pointed out that, unlike in states such as Uttar Pradesh, where leaders like Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak were appointed Deputy Chief Ministers to balance caste and political representation, no such compulsion exists in West Bengal.
Historically, the creation of Deputy Chief Minister posts has sometimes led to the emergence of multiple power centres within governments. Moreover, the Constitution does not formally recognise the post of Deputy Chief Minister, providing only for ministers within the Cabinet under the leadership of the Chief Minister.
With the portfolio allocation now complete and no Deputy Chief Minister named, the BJP government appears to have opted for a more centralised structure under Adhikari, putting to rest all speculation surrounding the issue.
Suvendu appoints Manoj Agarwal as Bengal Chief Secretary
In a key administrative reshuffle following the change of government in West Bengal, 1990-batch IAS officer Manoj Agarwal was on Monday appointed the new Chief Secretary of the state.
Agarwal, who was recently serving as the state’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), replaced Dushyant Nariala, who has been transferred as Principal Resident Commissioner at Paschim Banga Bhawan in Delhi with the rank of Additional Chief Secretary.
The change became apparent earlier in the day during Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s first administrative meeting at Nabanna, where Agarwal was seen seated beside him. The Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department later issued an official notification confirming the appointment.
Administrative sources said Agarwal’s handling of the recently concluded Assembly elections, widely viewed as peaceful and well-managed, had strengthened his position within the new BJP dispensation.
Officials noted that experienced bureaucrats such as Agarwal and retired IAS officer Subrata Gupta were expected to be given important responsibilities following the change in government. Gupta was recently appointed advisor to the Chief Minister.
Nariala, a 1993-batch IAS officer, has now been posted to Delhi, where he is expected to help strengthen coordination between the state and the Centre, particularly on issues related to central assistance and pending dues.
Officials said Agarwal’s long remaining tenure, administrative experience and reputation for efficiency made him a strong choice for the top bureaucratic post.
With Agarwal as Chief Secretary and Gupta as advisor, the Adhikari-led government appears to be consolidating its administrative structure as it moves ahead with its governance agenda.
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