The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal has chosen Suvendu Adhikari as the state's new Chief Minister. Set to become the state's 9th CM, he was the most talked about name after defeating former West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in her constituency of Bhabanipur.
The name was announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Adhikari had also won from his incumbent seat of Nandigram, which he had also won against the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in 2016 and 2021. He has also been elected as an MP from Tamluk Lok Sabha constituency in 2009 and 2014.
What also went in Adhikari’s favour was his being Minister of Transport from 2016 to 2020 and Irrigation and Water Resources Minister from 2018 to 2020 in Mamata Banerjee’s cabinet.
The incoming CM and his father, Sisir Adhikari, a former Lok Sabha MP, were actively involved in the anti-land acquisition movement since 2006 along with Singur. A Special Economic Zone (SEZ) was to come up in Nandigram, while a Tata small car factory was to come up in Singur. The movement propelled the TMC to power in 2011 after the exit of Tata Motors from the state.
After Shah chaired long meetings with the BJP’s legislative committee on Friday, he met all 207 MLA’s to instil confidence in them before the saffron party was to take over governing West Bengal for the first time in the state’s history.
The BJP has chosen Rabindra Jayanti (May 9) for the oath-taking ceremony as preparations are on at the Brigade Parade Ground. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending along with Shah, BJP National President Nitin Nabin and the CMs of the BJP-ruled states, apart from other dignitaries. Prominent industry leaders in Kolkata and religious Hindu leaders are also expected to attend the oath-taking ceremony.
Since the ground at the venue is soggy due to rain over the last few days, efforts are made to make the ground more conducive for nearly 2 lakh attendees.
According to sources, around 4,000-5,000 police personnel will be deployed in and around the area, along with Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) and quick response teams (QRTs). Vigilance will be enhanced—especially from the high-rise buildings in the vicinity, in light of the murder of Adhikari’s PA Chandranath Rath on Wednesday night at Madhyamgram in the North 24 Parganas district.
12-hour traffic restrictions have also been imposed in the area—including parking restrictions—which are expected to last from 11:00 PM - 12:00 PM.