Amit Shah Reaches Kolkata For Key BJP Meet To Decide New Bengal CM; Who Are The Frontrunners?

Bengal New CM: Following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s massive victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections, attention has now shifted to the party’s choice for the Chief Minister’s post and who will replace TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee. The decision is expected to be finalised on Friday during the BJP legislature party meeting in Kolkata.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Kolkata on Friday morning to attend the BJP's legislature party meeting, in which its leader will be elected, and the swearing-in ceremony of the party's first government in West Bengal. Shah was received at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, among others. Governor RN Ravi dissolved the assembly on Thursday, paving the way for the formation of the new government.

In the afternoon, Shah will attend the legislature party meeting of the BJP at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre. The swearing-in ceremony of the new government will take place on Saturday, May 9, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore. The oath-taking event is scheduled to be held at the iconic Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata from 11 am.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, several Union ministers, Chief Ministers from BJP-ruled states, and other senior party leaders are expected to attend the grand ceremony. Here’s a look at the leaders in the race for the top post.

Who Are the Front-Runners for West Bengal CM Post?

1. Suvendu Adhikari

Among the frontrunners for the top post, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari is considered the strongest contender. Adhikari, who defeated Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram in 2021, has once again emerged as a prominent face of the BJP in Bengal politics.

2. Dilip Ghosh

Senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh secured victory from the Kharagpur Sadar Assembly constituency, defeating Trinamool Congress candidate Pradip Sarkar by 30,506 votes. He polled a total of 89,885 votes.

A former West Bengal BJP president, Ghosh is considered one of the architects of the party’s rise in the state. Associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), he played a key role in strengthening the BJP’s organisation in Bengal and led the party during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, when it registered significant electoral gains in the state.

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3. Samik Bhattacharya

West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya is also among the names being discussed for the top post. Known for his organisational skills, Bhattacharya has focused extensively on booth-level management, cadre expansion, and election strategy. Party insiders view him as a leader capable of strengthening the BJP’s long-term political structure in Bengal.

4. Rupa Ganguly

Actor-turned-politician and former Rajya Sabha MP Rupa Ganguly won the Sonarpur Dakshin Assembly seat with 1,28,970 votes, defeating TMC candidate Arundhuti Maitra by a margin of 35,782 votes.

Ganguly’s name has also emerged in discussions around the leadership race. Her popularity, public image, and electoral success are considered valuable assets for the BJP, especially in urban and middle-class voter segments.

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5. Agnimitra Paul

BJP leader Agnimitra Paul retained the Asansol Dakshin Assembly constituency after defeating Trinamool Congress candidate Tapas Banerjee by 40,839 votes.

Paul, who serves as the vice-president of the BJP’s West Bengal unit, is regarded as one of the party’s prominent young leaders in the state.