BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari was officially chosen as West Bengal’s next Chief Minister after the party’s historic election victory
May 8, 2026: Suvendu Adhikari was on Friday announced as the new Chief Minister of West Bengal following the BJP’s landmark Assembly election victory. The decision was finalised during the BJP legislature party meeting held in Kolkata in the presence of Amit Shah. The development marks the end of the All India Trinamool Congress government’s 15-year rule in the state and paves the way for the BJP’s first government in Bengal.
Amit Shah arrived in Kolkata on Friday morning and was received at the airport by Adhikari and senior BJP leaders before attending the legislature party meeting at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre, where Adhikari was formally elected leader. The swearing-in ceremony of the new BJP government is scheduled for Saturday at Brigade Parade Ground. Narendra Modi, BJP president Nitin Nabin and several NDA chief ministers are expected to attend the ceremony. Governor R. N. Ravi had dissolved the Assembly on Thursday, formally clearing the path for the formation of the new government.
Political attention has now shifted to which Assembly constituency Adhikari will retain after winning from both Bhabanipur and Nandigram. His victory in Bhabanipur drew major attention as he defeated Mamata Banerjee in a constituency long considered a Trinamool Congress stronghold. Observers believe Adhikari may choose to retain Bhabanipur due to its symbolic political significance, although he has not yet officially announced his decision.