New BJP Government in West Bengal Likely to Be Sworn In on May 9
The newly formed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal is expected to take the oath of office on May 9, which coincides with Panchishe Baishakh, the birth anniversary of the legendary Bengali poet and polymath Rabindranath Tagore. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who played a pivotal role in orchestrating the party's historic victory, has been appointed as the central observer for the meeting of the BJP's newly elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) to elect their new leader, who will subsequently become the Chief Minister.
Shah's appointment as the central observer underscores his instrumental role in crafting the BJP's path to winning 207 seats in the 294-member West Bengal Legislative Assembly. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has been named as the co-observer for this crucial meeting. Within the party, Suvendu Adhikari, who defeated outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the Bhowanipore constituency, is widely viewed as the frontrunner to become the legislative party leader and the next Chief Minister.
The election in one constituency, Falta, was countermanded, and a re-election is scheduled for May 21. To accommodate the aspirations of diverse sections, especially the party's support base, the BJP has often appointed deputy chief ministers in states where it holds power. Party sources indicate that this formula is being considered for West Bengal as well. It is speculated that one deputy chief minister may be chosen from north Bengal, while another could be from south Bengal.
Holding the oath-taking ceremony on May 9 aligns with the BJP's efforts to pay tribute to Bengal's cultural icons. State BJP President Samik Bhattacharya stated, 'The Prime Minister has spoken about 25 Baishakh, the birthday of Rabindranath Tagore. The oath-taking ceremony is likely to coincide with that date.' According to party sources, a proposal has been sent to the party leadership to organize a grand ceremony at the Brigade Parade Ground. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has earlier indicated that he would attend the oath-taking event. Amit Shah is expected to arrive in Kolkata a day before the ceremony, and Chief Ministers of all BJP-governed states will be invited to the programme.
This process follows the standard procedure after elections, where the BJP leadership sends central observers to meet the party's newly elected MLAs and select the legislative party leader. The BJP's victory in West Bengal marks a significant shift in the state's political landscape, ending the Trinamool Congress's decade-long rule.
