Suvendu Adhikari is likely to be the next Chief Minister of West Bengal after the Bharatiya Janata Party’s sweeping victory in the 2026 Assembly elections. Party sources indicate that a final decision will be taken at a key legislative party meeting scheduled in Kolkata on Friday. The meeting is expected to formally initiate the process of government formation in the state.
At the gathering, BJP MLAs are expected to elect their legislative party leader, with Adhikari emerging as the clear frontrunner. State BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya is likely to propose his name, while senior leaders are expected to endorse the move. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is also expected to play a crucial role and may formally announce the leadership decision after internal consultations.
Adhikari’s elevation would mark a significant political shift, given his past association with Mamata Banerjee. Once considered a close aide, he later joined the BJP and quickly rose through its ranks. In the latest election, he defeated Banerjee for the second consecutive time, further increasing his victory margin and cementing his position as one of the party’s strongest leaders in the state.
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The BJP’s decisive mandate has brought an end to more than a decade of Trinamool Congress rule in West Bengal. With a clear majority in the Assembly, the party is now focused on leadership selection and ensuring a smooth transition of power. The outcome of Friday’s meeting is expected to set the tone for the new government’s priorities and direction.
If chosen as chief minister, Adhikari will face immediate governance challenges, including managing the administrative transition and fulfilling key election promises. Following his selection as legislative party leader, he is expected to meet the governor, stake claim to form the government, and proceed toward the swearing-in ceremony, marking the beginning of a new political phase in the state.
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