West Bengal's Historic Cabinet Expansion: BJP Takes Charge

A New Chapter in West Bengal Politics

Today marks a significant milestone in the political landscape of West Bengal as the state's first cabinet led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to undergo a grand expansion. A total of 35 legislators will take their oaths as ministers, completing the formation of the new 'nationalist government' in Bengal. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari confirmed this development via social media, announcing that Governor R. N. Ravi will administer the oath to the new ministers at 11 AM at the Lok Bhawan in Kolkata.

Suvendu stated, "Under the cabinet expansion, 35 ministers of the West Bengal government will take their oaths at Lok Bhawan. Governor R. N. Ravi will administer the oaths." He had previously taken the oath as Chief Minister on May 9, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and other leaders from the BJP and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Alongside Suvendu, BJP legislators Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Nisith Pramanik, Ashok Kirtania, and Khudiram Tudu also took their oaths as ministers.

With the inclusion of these 35 legislators, the total number of ministers will rise to 41, which is just three short of the maximum allowed for any government in the 294-member assembly. The current six-member cabinet reflects the BJP's efforts to maintain social and regional balance, representing Brahmins, Other Backward Classes (OBCs), tribal communities, Matua, and Rajbanshi groups. In the recent elections, the BJP secured 208 seats in the 294-member assembly, marking the end of the Trinamool Congress's 15-year rule and achieving the party's largest electoral success in Eastern India.