Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has been chosen as the Chief Minister of West Bengal at a meeting of BJP legislators held in the presence of senior party leaders on Friday, formalising his elevation after the party’s landmark Assembly poll victory. The new government will take oath at 11 am on Saturday.
The decision was taken at the BJP legislature party meeting attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, state BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya, and other central observers and senior leaders. Adhikari’s name was proposed and endorsed by the newly elected MLAs, clearing the way for his swearing-in as the state’s Chief Minister.
The BJP’s victory marks a historic political shift in West Bengal, ending the rule of the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress and ushering in the party’s first government in the state.
Sources indicated that the new government is likely to have two deputy chief ministers, a post that has remained vacant in the state for nearly two decades. The last to hold the position was Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee during the Left Front government led by Jyoti Basu.
Among those in contention for the deputy roles are Agnimitra Paul, who won from Asansol Dakshin and is likely to be considered for one of the posts, and Shankar Ghosh from north Bengal.
The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to be held at the historic Brigade Parade Ground, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several senior BJP leaders and NDA chief ministers are expected to attend.
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