Nandigram to writers’ buildings: The political journey of Suvendu Adhikari
Times of India | 9 May 2026
KOLKATA: In a historic political shift in West Bengal, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari is set to take oath as the state’s first BJP chief minister at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata on Saturday, marking the end of the Trinamool Congress’s 15-year rule.
The BJP scripted a landmark victory in the 294-member Assembly by winning 207 seats, while the TMC was reduced to 80 seats.
Following the party’s emphatic win, Adhikari was unanimously elected leader of the BJP legislature party at a meeting of newly elected MLAs attended by Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday.
Announcing the decision after a 30-minute closed-door meeting, Shah said eight proposals were received and all backed Adhikari’s name. “Adequate time was given for a second name, but no other proposal came,” he said.
FROM NANDIGRAM TO WRITERS’ BUILDINGS
UNANIMOUS CHOICE:
Union home minister Amit Shah announced Suvendu Adhikari as Bengal’s new CM. At Shah’s meeting with newly elected MLAs in Kolkata on Friday, eight legislators proposed Adhikari’s name. No second name was proposed. Adhikari was elected leader of BJP’s legislature party
WHY SUVENDU ADHIKARI WAS PICKED AS CM
SATURDAY ITINERARY
SUVENDU ADHIKARI TOP PRIORITY
SUVENDU ADHIKARI NEW MOTTO
Talk Less Work More
Govt where ‘We Matters More Than I’
Bhoy Out Bhrosa In
SILENCE ON HIS TEAM
Suvendu remained silent on cabinet portfolios after a meeting of party seniors on Friday. Dilip Ghosh said, “Whatever will happen, will happen tomorrow”
Adhikari, who credited the “historic mandate” to PM Modi's leadership, said his govt will “talk less, work more — that will be our motto as we start work”.
He added, “In our governance, there will be no ‘I’, only ‘we’. There is no place for what I or someone personally thinks in this govt. Here, the party and organisation come first and we will work accordingly.”