In a historic political development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to form its first-ever government in West Bengal with senior leader Suvendu Adhikari chosen as the Chief Minister-designate. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was appointed as the central observer for the election of the BJP legislative party leader, formally announced Adhikari’s selection on Friday. All the 207 newly elected BJP MLAs were present at the meeting of the legislative party.
“A total of eight proposals were submitted, but all of them carried only one name. Adequate time was given for proposing another candidate, but no other name was put forward. So I announce the name of Suvendu Adhikari elected as Leader of West Bengal BJP Legislative Party,” Shah said after the meeting of newly elected BJP MLAs. Adhikari is now set to take oath as the first BJP Chief Minister of the state. Suvendu Adhikari will take oath on Saturday at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also likely to attend the swearing-in ceremony.
Suvendu Adhikari defeated Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee from the Bhabanipur Assembly seat in Kolkata in this election. He also secured victory from the Nandigram seat. Adhikari had earlier defeated Mamata Banerjee from Nandigram in the 2021 Assembly elections as well.
Meanwhile, in Tamil Nadu, actor-turned-politician Vijay moved closer to forming the government after the Communist Party of India (CPI) extended unconditional support to his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
CPI submitted an unconditional letter of support to the Governor to back the Vijay-led alliance. The CPI has two MLAs in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly.
The support comes after TVK emerged as the single largest party in the April 23 Assembly elections by winning 108 seats, just 10 short of the majority mark of 118. TVK had subsequently reached out to key allies of the DMK, including the CPI, CPI(M) and VCK, seeking support to stake claim to form the government.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary M. A. Baby said the Left parties and the VCK, which together hold six MLAs in the assembly, were taking steps to help TVK demonstrate majority support before the Governor.