A new chapter is set to begin in the political history of West Bengal. For the first time, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is going to form the government in the state, with Suvendu Adhikari set to become its first Chief Minister.The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 9, at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground.On Saturday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting with the BJP’s 207 winning MLAs at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in Kolkata. Following the meeting, Suvendu Adhikari’s name was officially announced for the post of Chief Minister.Within the party, Adhikari has long been regarded as a close associate of Amit Shah. During this election, he also led one of the BJP’s most aggressive and high-profile campaigns.
His political stature grew further after defeating Mamata Banerjee in the Bhabanipur constituency, strengthening his position within the party and state politics. The BJP leadership has repeatedly stated that the party’s ideological foundation was inspired by the vision of Syama Prasad Mukherjee, a prominent son of Bengal. The party is therefore portraying the formation of its first government in West Bengal as a historic milestone.
According to party sources, the new government will also serve as a tribute to Syama Prasad Mukherjee.Meanwhile, Amit Shah stated that once the BJP begins governing the state, it will fulfill the expectations of the people of Bengal.Sources further revealed that after the swearing-in ceremony, the state cabinet and administrative activities will temporarily operate from the Raj Bhavan area near Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
At the same time, renovation work on the historic Writers’ Building is expected to begin soon. The iconic British-era administrative building is likely to be restored and modernized over the next seven to eight months, after which the state secretariat may be shifted back there.It is worth mentioning that for decades, the administrative functions of West Bengal were conducted from the Writers’ Building. During her tenure as Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee shifted the state secretariat to Nabanna in Howrah.