West Bengal BJP government may get two deputy chief ministers woman leader likely
The Bharatiya Janata Party is likely to appoint two Deputy Chief Ministers in West Bengal, including a woman leader, as the party prepares to form its first government in the state, sources said on Friday.
The development comes as Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Kolkata to attend the BJP legislature party meeting, where the party’s Chief Ministerial face is expected to be finalised.
Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has emerged as the frontrunner for the Chief Minister’s post after the party’s historic victory in the recently concluded Assembly elections.
Adhikari, who retained Nandigram and also defeated Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur, arrived at the BJP legislative party meeting amid heightened political anticipation.
Sources said the BJP leadership is considering appointing two Deputy Chief Ministers to ensure regional and social balance within the new government.
A woman leader is almost certain to be included among the deputy chief ministers, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
Ahead of the official announcement, several BJP leaders openly backed Suvendu Adhikari as the next Chief Minister of West Bengal.
Former Union minister and BJP leader Nishit Pramanik said he wanted “a chief minister who defeated Mamata Banerjee twice”.
BJP MLA-elect and former cricketer Ashoke Dinda also expressed support for Adhikari but added that the final decision would be taken by the party leadership.
“The party will decide who will become the CM. We want Suvendu Adhikari to become the CM, but that is up to the party,” Dinda said.
BJP MP Manoj Tigga said the state would witness rapid development under the new leadership and claimed that stalled central schemes such as Ayushman Bharat would now be implemented in West Bengal.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA-elect Tapas Roy launched a sharp attack on the Trinamool Congress, claiming the party would not survive politically in the coming years.
The BJP’s legislature party meeting is expected to formally elect its leader later in the day, ahead of the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for May 9 at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground.
