- By Chetna Shree
- Sun, 31 May 2026 03:59 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
- CM Adhikari to induct around 20 new ministers.
- Expansion prioritizes North Bengal and women's representation.
- Several probable names include actors and journalists.
West Bengal Cabinet Expansion: Weeks after Suvendu Adhikari took oath as Chief Minister along with five cabinet ministers, the BJP government in West Bengal is likely to expand its Council of Ministers on Monday, June 1.
While the government has not yet released the list of ministers, Adhikari can induct a maximum of 38 additional ministers. Under the 91st Constitutional Amendment, the size of a state's Council of Ministers is capped at 15 per cent of the total Assembly strength. For West Bengal's 294-member Assembly, this limits the total number of ministers to 44.
Adhikari Likely To Induct Around 20 More MLAs
According to a report by The Indian Express, citing sources in the government, Adhikari is likely to induct around 20 additional MLAs on Monday, leaving the remaining berths vacant.
During the initial swearing-in ceremony, five Cabinet ministers representing key demographics, including women (Agnimitra Paul), Matuas (Ashok Kirtania), Rajbangshis (Nisith Pramanik), and tribals (Kshudiram Tudu). Party leaders said that this upcoming expansion will see representation for other communities.
Focus On North Bengal And Women's Representation
"In this new list, women and backward communities will remain a priority for the BJP. North Bengal is also another priority," The Indian Express quoted a BJP leader as saying.
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With North Bengal already securing key positions, Mathabhanga MLA Nisith Pramanik as a Cabinet Minister and Cooch Behar Dakshin MLA Rathindra Bose as the Assembly Speaker, sources indicate that two more MLAs from the region, Dipak Burman and Shankar Ghosh, are also likely to be included.
The expansion is also expected to significantly boost female representation. A party leader said at least two more women are likely to be inducted, along with a woman actor. Additionally, actor-turned-politician Rudranil Ghosh is also in the race.
Additionally, two journalist-turned-politicians, Swapan Dasgupta and Jagannath Chattopadhyay, may also get key portfolios in the upcoming expansion. Dasgupta, a former Rajya Sabha MP, is reportedly a strong contender for the post of Minister for Higher Education.
"In our party, no decision is taken single-handedly. The central leadership will take the final call. In this case, too, the central leadership made the final decision on who would be the Cabinet ministers and which department each would get. We can only say that there are some surprises. For that, everybody will have to wait till Monday," the party leader added.