West Bengal CM Announcement LIVE: Amit Shah Arrives in Kolkata, Suvendu Adhikari Leads Race

West Bengal CM Race Intensifies: Amit Shah Reaches Kolkata for Crucial BJP Leadership Meet

The suspense over West Bengal’s next chief minister has intensified as Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Kolkata for a high-level BJP meeting that is expected to finalise the party’s first-ever chief minister in the state after its historic election victory.

With the Bharatiya Janata Party securing a sweeping mandate in the 2026 Assembly elections, all attention has now shifted toward the BJP Legislature Party meeting, where central observers and senior leaders are expected to discuss the final leadership choice.

Among the strongest contenders for the top post is Suvendu Adhikari, whose political rise has become one of the defining stories of Bengal politics over the last five years.

Suvendu Adhikari Emerges as Leading Contender

Suvendu Adhikari is widely being viewed as the frontrunner in the race for Bengal chief minister after playing a major role in BJP’s breakthrough victory in the state. His victories over Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram in 2021 and later in Bhabanipur during the 2026 elections significantly boosted his standing within the party.

Party insiders reportedly believe Adhikari’s aggressive grassroots campaigning and strong organisational network were central to BJP’s success across Bengal. His supporters have also intensified public calls demanding that he be chosen as the state’s next chief minister.

However, BJP leadership is also believed to be evaluating other names in order to balance caste, regional and organisational representation within the state cabinet.

Other Names in the Bengal CM Discussion

Apart from Suvendu Adhikari, several other BJP leaders are being discussed within party circles.

Possible contenders reportedly include:

Samik Bhattacharya
Agnimitra Paul
Rupa Ganguly
Dilip Ghosh

Party sources suggest the BJP may try to combine experienced RSS-linked faces with leaders who performed strongly during the elections.

There is also speculation that BJP’s central leadership could opt for a surprise consensus candidate if internal divisions emerge during discussions.

Historic Political Shift in Bengal

The BJP’s victory marks the first time the party is set to form a government in West Bengal, ending more than a decade of Trinamool Congress dominance in the state. The saffron party reportedly crossed the majority mark comfortably by winning 206 seats in the 294-member Assembly.

The development is being viewed as one of BJP’s biggest political breakthroughs in eastern India and a major setback for Mamata Banerjee’s TMC.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Governor R. N. Ravi has already dissolved the Assembly, formally paving the way for the formation of the new BJP-led government.

Latest Developments Before Oath Ceremony

Reports indicate that the swearing-in ceremony of Bengal’s new government is likely to take place on May 9 at the historic Brigade Parade Ground in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and several NDA chief ministers.

Preparations are also underway at the historic Writers’ Building, where the incoming chief minister is expected to make a symbolic visit after the oath-taking ceremony.

Adding to the political tension, the CID has taken over the investigation into the murder of Chandranath Rath, a close aide of Suvendu Adhikari, just ahead of the government formation ceremony.