West Bengal Assembly Election Results 2026: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) West Bengal President Samik Bhattacharya on Tuesday announced that the oath-taking ceremony of the new chief minister of the state will take place on May 9, coinciding with Rabindranath Jayanti.

This announcement has intensified speculation about who will become the next Chief Minister. Agnimitra Paul, who secured a victory in Asansol Dakshin during the 2026 Assembly elections, is considered a top contender for the position. If the BJP wants to replace Mamata Banerjee with a woman candidate of its own, Paul would emerge as an ideal candidate.

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BJP Leader Drops Hint

A BJP source told Hindustan Times on Monday that state vice-president Agnimitra Paul is among the key names being considered for the Chief Minister’s post.

"Adhikari is on the list. Some leaders have also proposed the names of Rajya Sabha member and state president Samik Bhattacharya and state vice-president Agnimitra Paul, who has won from Asansol Dakshin," HT quoted the BJP leader as saying.

Who Is Agnimitra Paul?

According to the data from the Election Commission of India (ECI), Agnimitra Paul secured a victory in Asansol Dakshin with a margin of 40,839 votes, defeating TMC's Tapas Banerjee. She has served as a Lok Sabha MP from 2019 to 2024.

Before entering politics, she was a fashion designer.

According to her election affidavit, Paul has 23 pending criminal cases, including allegations of joining in unlawful assembly, violent protests, rioting, disobedience of lawful orders of public authorities, disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant, Intentional insult or provocation intended to incite a breach of peace or public disorder, statements or communications that promote enmity, hatred, or ill-will between different groups, among others.

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However, Paul has not been convicted of any offence.

On her Facebook profile, Paul describes herself as "An tireless warrior of women’s empowerment, an indomitable voice against injustice, the MLA of Asansol South, and a dedicated servant of the people—a steadfast fighter striving to turn West Bengal’s true dream of change into reality. Faith, courage, and patriotism define who I am."

Her name is currently being considered alongside other frontrunners like Suvendu Adhikari. Dilip Ghosh, Sukanta Majumdar, Shamik Bhattacharya, Swapan Dasgupta, and Papia Adhikari.