BJP Delays Portfolio Allocation in Bengal Cabinet Over Education Dispute
Kolkata: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is working to resolve last-minute differences over the allocation of key portfolios, particularly school and higher education, delaying the announcement of ministerial responsibilities in the newly expanded state cabinet by two days. The portfolio allocation, originally scheduled to be announced on Wednesday, is now expected to be finalized on Friday.
"BJP leaders have been trying to iron out differences over key departments like school and higher education. It is expected that the BJP central leadership will clear the portfolio allocation before Friday," a source said.
After assuming office, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari made it clear that health and education would be among the government's top priorities. The BJP government is also planning to create a separate Ayush department in Bengal. According to sources, the health portfolio has largely been finalized.
However, consensus on the allocation of school and higher education departments remained elusive until Wednesday. The previous Trinamool Congress government had opposed the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and introduced a separate State Education Policy instead of adopting the school structure prescribed under the NEP. During the 2024-25 financial year, the Centre withheld Samagra Shiksha funds after the state declined to sign the PM SHRI agreement linked to the NEP framework. The new BJP government has since signed the agreement with the Centre.
"Education is a critical sector for implementing the government's policy agenda. The state plans to roll out NEP 2020 immediately across all levels of education, and the BJP leadership is carefully finalizing the school and higher education portfolios to ensure a balance between Bengal's existing education system and the party's vision under the NEP framework," the source added.
The state cabinet was expanded on June 1 with the induction of 35 ministers, taking the strength of the council of ministers to 41, including the chief minister. The council of ministers comprises 19 cabinet ministers, 19 ministers of state, and three ministers of state with independent charge.
