For fifteen years, West Bengal’s political identity has been linked to politics Mamata Banerjee. That era ended on Thursday when the state legislature was dissolved, paving the way for the BJP to take office for the first time in the state.
In the 2026 House elections, the saffron party won 207 seats out of 294 members, ending three terms in office. Trinamool Congress (TMC) rule.
Who will be the next Prime Minister of Bengal?
The primary choice so far is the Bharatiya Janata Party Suvendu Adhikari. Adhikari, once a key lieutenant in the Mamata Banerjee government, was now the man who ousted her.
The outgoing Prime Minister was defeated in her stronghold of Bhabanipur. His ascension meets the cabinet criteria set by the party leadership. Their vision promised a local leader, Bengali-educated, rooted in the state’s grassroots politics.
Other contenders for the CM post
Dilip Ghosh
Dilip Ghosh, a senior BJP leader and former state president, won from Kharagpur Sadar in the recent Assembly elections. He has a background in RSS and earlier led the party’s government campaign.
Samik Bhattacharya
Samik Bhattacharya is the state president of BJP. He is seen as an organizational leader who focuses on ward-level planning, cadre strength, and election management.
Roopa Ganguly
Rupa Ganguly is a former Rajya Sabha member and representative who scored a strong win from Sonarpur Dakshin.
Agnimitra Paul
Agnimitra Paul retained Asansol Dakshin by a huge margin. She is also the state’s vice president and has been active in public awareness, especially on issues related to women and media outreach.
Swapan Dasgupta
Swapan Dasgupta won the Rashbehari seat in this election. He is a former member of Rajya Sabha and an academician.
Has Mamata Banerjee resigned?
Mamata Banerjee led the state for three consecutive terms from 2011 to 2026 until she was voted out of power this week. Banerjee strongly refused to resign, alleging that there was a conspiracy behind the poll result.
“Let them impose the president’s rule if they want. Let them fire me if they want,” she said in a closed meeting on Wednesday, according to news agency PTI. “Let this day continue to be recorded as a black day,” Banerjee told party workers.
The impasse ended only when Bengal Governor R N Ravi dissolved the Legislative Assembly on May 7 at the end of its five-year term. While the TMC plans to challenge the results in court, the BJP is moving ahead with forming its government.
How will the next Bangladeshi Prime Minister be chosen?
The BJP is scheduled to hold its legislative party meeting in Kolkata on Friday. May 8. During this session, 207 newly elected representatives are expected to formally elect a new prime minister.
State President Samik Bhattacharya will suggest a name and Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to announce the decision. After the meeting, party leaders will visit Raj Bhavan to formally assert their claim to form the government.
When will Bengal get its new chief minister?
The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 9. It coincides with Rabindra Jayanti. The Prime Minister is expected to attend the ceremony Narendra Modi and many senior BJP leaders.
Suvendu Adhikari is the new Chief Minister of Bengal?
Suvendu Adhikari’s potential rise to the top post comes after a long career in Bangladeshi politics. He was previously a senior minister in the TMC government and played a key role in the Nandigram land movement that brought Mamata Banerjee to power in 2011.
Since joining the BJP in 2020, he has become the face of the opposition. His victory in Bhabanipur cemented his position as the most influential party leader in the state.
