Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Kolkata on Friday, May 8, 2026 [1], to chair a BJP legislative party meeting to select the state's next chief minister.

The meeting marks a critical transition of power in West Bengal following the party's reported electoral victory and the dissolution of the state's legislative assembly. The outcome will determine the leadership of one of India's most politically volatile regions.

Shah landed at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport before proceeding to a hotel to meet with newly elected BJP members of the legislative assembly [1], [2]. The primary objective of the gathering is to formally choose the party's legislative leader, who will then be appointed as the chief minister [1], [3].

Among the contenders for the top post, Suvendu Adhikari has emerged as a leading candidate [3]. Other figures mentioned in connection with the government formation process include Dilip Ghosh and Agnipitra Paul [2].

While some reports indicated that Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi would accompany Shah to the meeting, other accounts mentioned only the home minister's arrival [2], [4].

The process is moving quickly to ensure a stable transition. A swearing-in ceremony for the new chief minister is scheduled for May 9, 2026 [5].

“Amit Shah arrived in Kolkata on Friday, May 8, 2026, to chair a BJP legislative party meeting”

The appointment of a new chief minister in West Bengal represents a significant shift in the state's political landscape. By sending the Union Home Minister to oversee the selection, the BJP is ensuring that the transition of power is tightly managed by the central leadership to avoid internal factionalism before the official swearing-in.