Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that Suvendu Adhikari will become the next Chief Minister of West Bengal [1].

The appointment follows a historic victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2026 West Bengal assembly election. This shift in leadership marks a significant political transition in the state, ending the previous administration's tenure.

Shah made the announcement during a press briefing in Kolkata on May 8, 2026 [1, 2]. He said that the party's legislators unanimously supported a single candidate to lead the state. "I announce Suvendu Adhikari as the leader of the BJP legislature party in West Bengal," Shah said [1].

According to Shah, there was no dissent among the elected representatives regarding the choice of leadership. "Every proposal was just one name," Shah said [2].

Adhikari's ascent to the leadership is bolstered by his performance in the recent elections. In the Bhabanipur constituency, Adhikari secured a victory over Mamata Banerjee by a margin of over 15,000 votes [3].

The BJP legislative party officially elected its leader on May 8, 2026 [1]. The party now prepares for the formal swearing-in process to establish the new government in Kolkata.

“"I announce Suvendu Adhikari as the leader of the BJP legislature party in West Bengal."”

The appointment of Suvendu Adhikari signifies a total realignment of power in West Bengal. By securing a decisive victory and maintaining internal party unanimity, the BJP has transitioned from an opposition role to the governing body of the state, fundamentally altering the political landscape of eastern India.