Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari (BJP) expanded his cabinet on Monday, June 1, 2026, as 35 new ministers took their oaths of office [1].
This expansion marks a significant consolidation of power for the BJP after forming its first-ever government in West Bengal. By broadening the Council of Ministers, the administration aims to integrate regional, linguistic, and gender representation into the state's executive leadership [2].
Governor R. N. Ravi administered the oath to the new appointees during a ceremony that began at 11 a.m. [5]. The event took place in Kolkata, with reports placing the venue at Lok Bhavan [4] or Nabanna [7].
The addition of 35 members [1] significantly increases the size of the state's governing body. While some reports indicate the total strength of the Council of Ministers now stands at 40 [3], other records suggest the total has reached 41 [2].
Adhikari's move to fill these positions comes as the new government seeks to establish its legislative footprint across the state. The selection of the 35 BJP MLAs reflects an effort to balance the diverse demographics of West Bengal's electorate, a strategy intended to stabilize the party's inaugural hold on the state's administration [2].
The ceremony served as the formal culmination of the cabinet formation process, transitioning the government from a skeletal structure to a full operational cabinet capable of managing various state portfolios.
“35 new ministers took their oaths of office”
The rapid expansion of the cabinet suggests that the BJP is prioritizing political inclusivity and regional representation to legitimize its first administration in West Bengal. By maximizing the size of the Council of Ministers, Adhikari is likely attempting to reward loyalty among BJP MLAs while ensuring that various ethnic and linguistic subgroups are represented in the government to prevent localized dissent.
