West Bengal CM race: BJP sets May 9 oath, 2026

BJP crosses two-thirds mark in Bengal Assembly

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won 206 seats in the 294-member West Bengal Assembly, securing a more than two-thirds majority. The result ends the Trinamool Congress’s 15-year rule in the state. The scale of the mandate has shifted attention from the election outcome to government formation. A key political marker in the result is Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s defeat in Bhabanipur to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. With the BJP breaching the halfway mark comfortably, the party is positioned to stake claim to form its first government in West Bengal. The immediate question is who will be picked as the next chief minister.

Oath-taking fixed for May 9, says state BJP chief

West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya has said the oath-taking ceremony of the new chief minister will be held on May 9. Party sources cited in the reports said the date is being considered alongside Rabindra Jayanti. Preparations for the ceremony are underway even as internal consultations continue. The party has not made an official announcement on the chief ministerial face so far. The formal naming of the leader is expected after discussions within the BJP’s central leadership. The May 9 timeline has added urgency to the internal selection process.

How BJP will finalise the chief minister

BJP sources said the chief minister will be finalised at a meeting involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and Nitin Nabin. The top leadership is also expected to consider inputs from central observers and state leaders. Alongside the chief minister, the party may consider appointing a deputy chief minister after the decision is made. The reports also indicate that the party wants its choice to fit a broader political positioning in the state. On April 24, Amit Shah said the next chief minister would be someone born and educated in Bengal and fluent in Bengali. That remark is being read as a key filter for the final decision.

Suvendu Adhikari emerges as the front-runner

Suvendu Adhikari is widely described by BJP functionaries as the leading contender for the top post. He retained the Nandigram seat and also defeated Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur in the latest election outcome referenced in the reports. Adhikari had earlier defeated Banerjee in 2021 in Nandigram by 1,956 votes, according to the live updates section. A senior BJP functionary said the party could “reward” him for defeating Banerjee twice. When asked about being the chief ministerial candidate, Adhikari was quoted as saying he is “not power-hungry.” His rise is also tied to his shift from Trinamool Congress to the BJP in December 2020 and his later role as Leader of the Opposition.

Dilip Ghosh: organisational face with a fresh win

Dilip Ghosh is another major name being discussed in the BJP’s internal circles. He won the Kharagpur Sadar Assembly constituency in the results cited. As per ANI quoted in the report, Ghosh said voters have “a lot of expectations from the party” after backing it overwhelmingly. He defeated Trinamool Congress candidate Pradip Sarkar by 30,506 votes, securing 89,885 votes. Ghosh is a former state BJP president and is associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The report also notes that he led the party’s campaign during the 2019 general elections in the state when the BJP secured a 40.7% vote share in West Bengal.

Samik Bhattacharya and Agnimitra Paul stay in contention

BJP leaders have also flagged Samik Bhattacharya and Agnimitra Paul as probable chief minister faces. Bhattacharya’s case is being linked to his leadership of the state unit during the election that delivered the BJP’s first assembly victory in Bengal, as per the live updates. He is currently a member of the Rajya Sabha. Agnimitra Paul, vice president of the BJP’s West Bengal unit, retained Asansol Dakshin by defeating Trinamool Congress candidate Tapas Banerjee by 40,839 votes. Party leaders indicated she could be considered if the BJP decides to back a woman chief minister. The updates also state that Paul was a Lok Sabha MP from 2019 to 2024.

Other names mentioned: Roopa Ganguly, Swapan Dasgupta, Utpal Brahmacharo

Beyond the top-tier names, the reports mention additional contenders being discussed. Roopa Ganguly, who won from Sonarpur Dakshin, is referenced as being considered, with her public profile linked to outreach including among urban voters. Swapan Dasgupta, noted as victorious from Rashbehari, is also listed among those under consideration; the report describes him as a former Rajya Sabha MP and an academic. Another name mentioned in the BJP’s internal discussions is Utpal Brahmacharo (spelt as such in the source text). While these names have appeared in multiple summaries, the party has not confirmed any shortlist officially. The final call is expected only after central-level consultations.

Key facts at a glance

Why the leadership choice matters for governance signals

A clear majority reduces uncertainty around whether the BJP can form the government, but the choice of chief minister can still shape how the administration is run. The party is balancing electoral symbolism, organisational continuity, and political messaging in a state where it has not governed before. The mention of a possible deputy chief minister suggests the leadership structure itself is under consideration. Investors and businesses typically watch early government formation steps for clarity on priorities, but the reports do not provide any policy announcements yet. What is confirmed is the timeline: the swearing-in is planned for May 9 and the decision is pending at the highest levels of the party. Until an official name is announced, the discussion is expected to remain focused on a handful of BJP leaders with electoral wins and organisational roles.

What to watch next

The BJP’s next step is to finalise its chief ministerial choice through consultations involving the central leadership and inputs from observers and state leaders. The party has publicly confirmed the May 9 ceremony date, but not the leader who will take the oath. Any decision on appointing a deputy chief minister, if made, is expected after the chief minister is chosen. For now, the confirmed facts remain the size of the BJP mandate, the scheduled oath-taking date, and the list of contenders circulating within the party. The official announcement is awaited ahead of May 9.