By Soniya:
Suvendu Adhikari was elected as the leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislative party in West Bengal on 8 May 2026. He is scheduled to take oath as the 9th Chief Minister of West Bengal on 9 May 2026, marking a major political shift in the state after the BJP’s victory in the 2026 Assembly elections.
The BJP ended the 14-year rule of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal by securing a majority in the 294-member Legislative Assembly. The victory is considered a historic milestone for the party in the state.
Suvendu Adhikari gained major political attention after defeating Mamata Banerjee in the Nandigram constituency during the 2021 Assembly election. In the 2026 elections, he again defeated her, this time from the Bhabanipur constituency, strengthening his position within the BJP.
Under Article 164 of the Constitution of India, the Chief Minister is the head of the elected state government and is appointed by the Governor. The Chief Minister leads the Council of Ministers and plays a key role in state administration and policymaking.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah officially announced Suvendu Adhikari as the Chief Minister-designate following the BJP legislative party meeting. The oath-taking ceremony is expected to take place in Kolkata with senior BJP leaders and party workers in attendance.
The formation of the new government marks a significant change in West Bengal politics and is expected to shape the state’s political landscape in the coming years.
