West Bengal New CM: Who Will Be Bengal CM? BJP Eyes May 9 Swearing-In On Rabindra Jayanti

In a move rich in cultural and political symbolism, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to take oath for forming the new government in West Bengal on May 9, coinciding with Rabindra Jayanti.

Sources close to the party and the government formation process said the date is being considered to mark a new beginning in the state after the party's sweeping mandate. BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya confirmed the development, stating that the oath-taking ceremony of the new Chief Minister will take place on May 9.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had signalled this timeline during his final campaign rally in Barrackpore, saying he would return after the results to attend the swearing-in ceremony. Following the results, while addressing party workers at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, Modi invoked Rabindranath Tagore and said the party is committed to building a Bengal "where the mind is without fear and the head is held high".

Senior officials from the Election Commission of India, including Principal Secretary S B Joshi and Secretary Sujit Kumar Mishra, will arrive in Kolkata on May 5 to hand over the official gazette notification of the results to Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal.

The Chief Electoral Officer is expected to brief Governor R N Ravi on May 6, following which the Governor will invite outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to submit her resignation as per constitutional protocol. She is then likely to be asked to continue as caretaker Chief Minister until the new government is sworn in.

The proposed date of May 9, observed as Pochishe Boishakh, aligns with the post-election timeline while also carrying deep cultural resonance in a state where Tagore's legacy remains central to public life.

Celebrated across Bengal, Rabindra Jayanti is marked by recitations, Rabindra Sangeet performances and cultural programmes, reflecting the continued influence of Tagore's literature and philosophy.

The swearing-in is expected to be a landmark moment, with the BJP poised to end over four-and-a-half decades of Left Front and Trinamool Congress rule in the state.

In a sweeping verdict, the BJP secured 206 seats in the 294-member Assembly, crossing the majority mark comfortably and establishing a clear mandate to form the government.

The focus has now shifted to the choice of Chief Minister, with the party yet to project a face for the post.

Among the frontrunners, Suvendu Adhikari has emerged as a central figure after retaining Nandigram and defeating Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur. A former Trinamool Congress leader, Adhikari played a key role in the Nandigram movement and later became Leader of the Opposition after joining the BJP. He has, however, maintained that he is "not power-hungry".

Dilip Ghosh, a former state BJP president, is another key contender. He won from Kharagpur Sadar and has been closely associated with the party's organisational expansion in the state, particularly during the 2019 general elections.

Samik Bhattacharya is also being seen as a strong organisational face, known for his focus on booth-level strategy and cadre mobilisation, which played a crucial role in the party's performance.

Rupa Ganguly, who won from Sonarpur Dakshin, is being discussed as well. Her public profile and outreach among urban voters add a different dimension to the leadership mix.

Agnimitra Paul retained Asansol Dakshin with a significant margin and remains one of the prominent women leaders in the state unit, actively involved in public outreach and media engagement.

Swapan Dasgupta, who won from Rashbehari, is also in consideration. A former Rajya Sabha MP with an academic background, he adds an intellectual dimension to the leadership pool.

Sources said the final decision is expected after consultations between Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and the party's central leadership, with inputs from observers and state leaders. The party may also consider appointing a deputy chief minister after finalising its choice.