Suvendu Adhikari was on Friday unanimously elected the BJP legislative party leader at a meeting of newly elected MLAs in the presence of Amit Shah, paving the way for him to become Bengal’s ninth chief minister. He is set to take oath shortly at the Brigade Parade Grounds in Kolkata.

Making the announcement after a 30-minute closed-door meeting with the MLAs, Shah said, “Eight proposals were received at the meeting and all of them had only one name. Adequate time was given for a second name, but no other name was proposed. Therefore, I announce Suvendu Adhikari as the chief minister of Bengal.”

He added, “I have known Suvendu for long. He is a fighter and has been in administration, too. He, along with our team, will be successful in delivering good governance in Bengal. He has fought, and his fight has brought results today.”

BJP seniors said the development was also seen as a personal validation for Shah, who played a key role in bringing Adhikari from the All India Trinamool Congress to the BJP in 2020.

Shortly after the announcement, Adhikari met Governor R. N. Ravi and staked claim to form the next government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior Union ministers and chief ministers of NDA-ruled states are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony.

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