Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday was named as leader of BJP's legislative group and he will be the new Chief Minister of West Bengal, marking a historic moment as the Bharatiya Janata Party prepares to form its first-ever government in the state.
The announcement came during the BJP legislature party meeting in Kolkata, attended by senior party leaders and newly elected MLAs.
Union home minister Amit Shah arrived in Kolkata earlier in the day to oversee the crucial leadership selection process. Shah chaired the BJP legislature party meeting at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre, where Suvendu Adhikari's name was finalised for the top post after extensive discussions within the party leadership.
Suvendu Adhikari emerged as the frontrunner after leading the BJP's aggressive campaign against the ruling All India Trinamool Congress and defeating Mamata Banerjee in the high-profile Bhabanipur constituency. BJP leaders described the development as a "historic political shift" in Bengal politics after the party secured a massive mandate of 207 seats in the 294-member Assembly.
The swearing-in ceremony of the new BJP government will be held on May 9 at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and chief ministers from several BJP-ruled states are expected to attend the event. Security arrangements and preparations for the large public ceremony are already underway across the city.
Ahead of the legislature meeting, Amit Shah visited the Dakshineswar Kali Temple and offered prayers. BJP workers welcomed him with traditional dhak performances and celebrations across Kolkata as party supporters geared up for the formation of the first BJP government in Bengal.
The BJP's victory has ended 15 years of TMC rule in the state and is being viewed by party leaders as a major political breakthrough in eastern India.
Gaurav Sharma Oneindia