Amit Shah arrives in Kolkata as BJP legislature party set to elect West Bengal chief minister

Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Kolkata on Friday to attend the BJP legislature party meeting, where the party is expected to formally elect its leader and pave the way for the formation of West Bengal’s first BJP government.

The swearing-in ceremony of the new government is scheduled to take place at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground on May 9.

Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has emerged as the frontrunner for the Chief Minister’s post following the party’s historic victory in the recently concluded Assembly elections.

Shah, who has been appointed as the BJP’s central observer for the legislature party meeting, landed at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport around 11.10 am.

After arriving in Kolkata, the Union Home Minister visited the Dakshineswar Kali Temple and offered prayers along with BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya and senior party leaders, including Suvendu Adhikari.

The BJP ended the Trinamool Congress’ 15-year rule in the State, delivering one of the biggest political setbacks to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Although the BJP has not officially announced its Chief Ministerial candidate, Adhikari’s name has gained significant momentum after his major electoral victories in Nandigram and Bhabanipur.

Adhikari retained Nandigram, the constituency where he defeated Mamata Banerjee in the 2021 Assembly elections. He also secured victory in Bhabanipur, long considered a stronghold of the Trinamool Congress chief.

Meanwhile, political tensions continue in the State following reports of post-poll violence in several districts after the election results were declared on May 4.

On May 6, unidentified gunmen allegedly shot dead a personal assistant of Suvendu Adhikari in the Madhyamgram area of North 24 Parganas district.

Earlier this week, Mamata Banerjee claimed that the election verdict was the result of a “conspiracy” and said she would not resign as Chief Minister despite the BJP’s sweeping victory.

The BJP’s decisive win in West Bengal is being viewed as a landmark political shift in the State’s electoral history.