Bengal Post-Poll Updates: TMC appoints Kolkata Mayor as Chief Whip, Deputy LoPs also named

After Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay was named the LoP, Firhad Hakim, the Mayor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation, was announced as the Chief Whip of the opposition. TMC also selected Asima Patra and Nayna Bandyopadhyay as the Deputy Leaders of Opposition.

The All India Trinamool Congress on Saturday announced its leadership structure in the West Bengal Assembly, appointing veteran MLA Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as the Leader of Opposition. Chattopadhyay, a 10-time MLA, will lead the party's legislative front in the House.

The party also named Asima Patra and Nayna Bandyopadhyay as Deputy Leaders of Opposition, while senior leader Firhad Hakim has been appointed as the Chief Whip of the party in the Assembly.

During his meeting with the state's Chief Secretary and the top police officials, Suvendu Adhikari decided that the oath-taking ceremony for newly elected MLAs will be held on Wednesday and Thursday.

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar congratulated BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on taking oath as West Bengal Chief Minister following the party's landslide victory in the 2026 state assembly elections.

He tweeted,  "Confident that under leadership of PM @narendramodi, your team will usher in a new era of good governance, transparency and inclusive growth, fulfilling the promise of ‘Sonar Bangla’."

After swear-in event, Bengal minister Agnimitra Paul says Mamata Banerjee had often intimidated the opposition in the Assembly, adding that such conduct did not befit her position. While acknowledging Banerjee’s stature and struggle as inspiring, Paul said the new government would work to revive Bengal and ensure the opposition is treated with respect.

She added, "As a designer I used to beautify women, now I will beautify Bengal."

Amit Shah, after the oath-taking ceremony of the newly formed West Bengal government said the saffron flag is now flying in the land of Sri Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Syama Prasad Mukherjee while addressing a gathering in Karnataka's Chitradurga.

TMC spokesperson Riju Dutta announced his 6-year suspension from Trinamool Congress for statements the party deemed a breach of discipline, claiming he spoke the truth after 13 years of service without nepotistic advantages. 

The action follows Dutta's recent controversial remarks thanking BJP leaders for protection and apologising to a rival, from which the TMC publicly distanced itself.

In a move that has triggered political buzz in West Bengal, former Election Commission of India (ECI) Special Poll Observer Subrata Gupta has been appointed as Advisor to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

Gupta, a retired IAS officer, had served as a Special Poll Observer during the West Bengal Assembly elections and was closely involved in overseeing the electoral process in the politically sensitive state. His appointment is being seen as significant given his administrative experience and familiarity with Bengal’s political landscape.

Delhi CM, after Suvendu Adhikari's swearing-in as the new chief minister of West Bengal, said that India is on a trajectory of development under the leadership of PM Modi. "Every state will progress," she said during her visit to Kolkata.

Former West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has called for opposition unity, urging all parties, including all faction of the Left Front, to come together against the BJP. She said the BJP is the “only enemy” and stressed that ideological differences must be set aside for a united fight. Banerjee also alleged that her security cover was reduced without her knowledge, and accused the police of remaining silent spectators while Trinamool Congress workers faced harassment.

Following Suvendu Adhikari's swearing-in as the new chief minister of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu says, “This is an extraordinary win. There is no doubt about it. There is a bright future for Bengal and for the people of Bengal. This is a very strong state." Naidu also cited the the strong knowledge base and human resources of the state. He also mentioned that the natural resources are also abundant. "Now that there is a double-engine government, development will move forward automatically. You are going to see the results," he said.

Murshidabad Police have recovered a huge amount of arms and ammunition from the residence of an associate of a TMC leader in Berhampore. A woman, identified as Tuku Sarkar, has been arrested from the Saidabad area in Girjapara. Two other suspects are currently absconding. During the search, police seized 140 rounds of ammunition, three 7.65 mm revolvers and a magazine. 

Suvendu Adhikari held a high-level administrative meeting with the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, the Director General of Police (DGP), and the Kolkata Police Commissioner at the PWD Tent near Brigade Parade Grounds right after his swearing-in ceremony. The primary objectives of the meeting were to assess the overall security situation and public safety across the state following the election.

Tension gripped West Bengal’s Purulia district after the body of a BJP worker was recovered under mysterious circumstances on Friday morning. The deceased was identified as 45-year-old Habulal Gop, a resident of Beldi village under Arsha police station area. His body was found near Kanali village in Purulia Mofussil police station limits.

BJP workers claimed that Habulal Gop was an active party worker and served as the BJP’s Shakti Kendra chief in the area. Family members have alleged that he was murdered as part of a “planned conspiracy”, triggering political uproar in the district.

Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh said the people of West Bengal had “accepted the BJP” as the party formed its first government in the state. 

Former Bangladesh prime minister and Bangladesh Awami League president Sheikh Hasina congratulated Suvendu Adhikari following the BJP’s victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections. In a post shared by the Bangladesh Awami League on X, Hasina conveyed her “sincere greetings and congratulations” to Adhikari after the BJP’s decisive win and formation of government in the state.

Former Union minister and former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi termed the formation of the BJP government in West Bengal as “Independence Day of Bengal”. Speaking after Suvendu Adhikari took oath as chief minister, Trivedi said the “tears of joy” among women reflected a sense of freedom and added that their “special blessings” were with the new government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday thanked the people of West Bengal after the BJP formed its first government in the state. In a post on X, Modi said, “I bow to West Bengal’s Jana Shakti,” adding that the people’s blessings are “the truest strength of democracy and the noblest source of public resolve.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Suvendu Adhikari after he took oath as the chief minister of West Bengal on Saturday. In a post on X, Modi said Adhikari had “remained deeply connected to the people” and understood their aspirations closely. The Prime Minister also wished him a “fruitful tenure ahead” as the BJP formed its first government in the state.

As Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the new chief minister of West Bengal, a resident from his neighbourhood praised the BJP leader for staying connected to his roots and helping people over the years. “From early days, Suvendu Adhikari has always stood united with colleagues and friends, always ready to help,” the resident said, adding that Adhikari “never forgets his past” and supports people with affection.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and the members of the newly sworn-in BJP government in the state. Modi attended the grand oath-taking ceremony at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Grounds, where Adhikari and his council of ministers took oath in the presence of top NDA leaders.

Former Union minister and BJP leader Nisith Pramanik took oath as a minister in the new West Bengal government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday. Pramanik, considered a prominent face from North Bengal, was sworn in during the grand ceremony at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Grounds.

BJP leader Kshudiram Tudu took oath as a minister in the new West Bengal government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday. Tudu is MLA from Ranibadh constituency. The swearing-in ceremony is being held at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Grounds in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several senior NDA leaders.

Senior BJP leaders Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul and Ashok Kirtania took oath as ministers in the new West Bengal government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday. The swearing-in ceremony at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Grounds marked the formation of the BJP’s first government in the state.
 

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the chief minister of West Bengal in Bengali on Saturday at a grand ceremony held at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Grounds. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers, chief ministers from several NDA-ruled states and senior BJP leaders attended the historic event as the BJP formed its first government in the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted veteran BJP worker Makhan Lal Sarkar during the swearing-in ceremony of the new BJP government in West Bengal at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Grounds. Modi was seen touching Sarkar’s feet and embracing him on stage. Sarkar is regarded as one of the oldest BJP workers in West Bengal and has been associated with the party for decades.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal chief minister-designate Suvendu Adhikari paid tribute to Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore on his birth anniversary ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of the new BJP government in the state. 

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini termed the swearing-in ceremony of the BJP government in West Bengal a “historic day” and said the new state government would play a major role in fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047. Speaking ahead of Suvendu Adhikari’s oath-taking ceremony, Saini said the BJP government in the state would work under the leadership of PM Modi.

Senior NDA leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, arrived at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Grounds for the swearing-in ceremony of the BJP government in West Bengal. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari is set to take oath as the new chief minister in the presence of several Union ministers and chief ministers from across the country.

Senior NDA leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union minister JP Nadda and BJP national president Nitin Nabeen, arrived at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Grounds for the swearing-in ceremony of the BJP government in West Bengal. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari is set to take oath as the state’s new chief minister in the presence of top party leaders and chief ministers from across the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Kolkata’s iconic Brigade Parade Grounds on Saturday for the swearing-in ceremony of the BJP government in West Bengal. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari is set to take oath as the new chief minister in the presence of several Union ministers, chief ministers and senior party leaders.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari arrived in Kolkata to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Suvendu Adhikari as West Bengal Chief Minister.

People in large numbers gathered at Brigade Parade Ground to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Suvendu Adhikari as the Chief Minister of West Bengal.

Former Union Minister Dinesh Trivedi on the BJP government’s swearing-in in West Bengal: “In the real sense, Bengal is getting the freedom that Syama Prasad Mukherjee had envisioned… This is the result of the hard work of BJP workers and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.”
 

BJP leader Arjun Singh on the swearing-in ceremony of the BJP government in West Bengal: “The public of West Bengal has trust in the leadership of PM Modi and the BJP government.”

BJP leader Dilip Jaiswal on Suvendu Adhikari taking oath as West Bengal Chief Minister: “West Bengal is about to create history… Under the guidance of PM Narendra Modi, the BJP government will fulfil the vision of a new Bengal.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached Parade Ground in Kolkata for West Bengal Chief Minister oath-taking ceremony.

BJP leaders Agnimitra Paul, former Union minister Nisith Pramanik, Siliguri MLA Sankar Ghosh and senior party leader Dilip Ghosh are likely to take oath as ministers in the new West Bengal government led by Suvendu Adhikari. The BJP is set to form its first government in the state, with the swearing-in ceremony being held at Brigade Parade Grounds in Kolkata.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kolkata on Saturday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari as the new chief minister of West Bengal. Several Union ministers, chief ministers and senior BJP leaders from across the country are attending the grand event at Brigade Parade Grounds.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami arrived in Kolkata on Saturday to attend the oath-taking ceremony of the new BJP government in West Bengal. Dhami was received by BJP leaders at the airport ahead of the swearing-in event where Suvendu Adhikari will take oath as chief minister.

Former Union minister Nisith Pramanik is set to take oath as a minister along with chief minister-designate Suvendu Adhikari and senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh on Saturday. A prominent face from North Bengal, Pramanik contested the Assembly polls from Mathabhanga in Cooch Behar and is seen as an influential leader in the region.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath arrived in Kolkata on Saturday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari as the new chief minister of West Bengal. 

Ahead of taking oath as the chief minister of West Bengal, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Kolkata and called the occasion a “moment of profound pride and jubilation”. In a post on X, Adhikari said the swearing-in of the “first-ever BJP government in West Bengal since Independence” fulfilled the dreams of the party’s founding fathers.

Claiming that the event marked “the end of decades of misrule”, Adhikari said a new “Double Engine” era of development, peace and prosperity was beginning in the state. “The era of ‘Sonar Bangla’ officially begins,” he said while welcoming the Prime Minister to the “City of Joy”.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari left his Kolkata residence on Saturday morning for the swearing-in ceremony where he will take oath as the new chief minister of West Bengal. 

A large number of Kolkata Police personnel were deployed outside the residence of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari ahead of his swearing-in as the new chief minister of West Bengal.

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary arrived in Kolkata on Saturday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari as the new chief minister of West Bengal. Several chief ministers, deputy chief ministers and senior BJP leaders are expected to attend the grand ceremony at Brigade Parade Grounds.

BJP national president Nitin Navin arrived in Kolkata on Friday night ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of the new BJP government in West Bengal. The party’s grand oath-taking event is scheduled to be held on Saturday at Brigade Parade Grounds, where Suvendu Adhikari will take oath as chief minister.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma arrived in Kolkata on Saturday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari as West Bengal’s new chief minister. Top BJP leaders, Union ministers and chief ministers from several states are expected to be part of the grand event at Brigade Parade Grounds.

Several Union ministers, Rajnath Singh, JP Nadda, Dharmendra Pradhan, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Suresh Gopi also reached Kolkata for the event. Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari, Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and Manipur Deputy CM Nemcha Kipgen are attending the grand swearing-in ceremony at Brigade Parade Grounds.

Chief ministers, deputy chief ministers and senior Union ministers arrived in Kolkata ahead of Suvendu Adhikari’s oath-taking ceremony as West Bengal chief minister. Among the VVIPs who reached the city are Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha.

BJP leader Agnimitra Paul welcomed Suvendu Adhikari’s election as the leader of the BJP legislature party, saying party workers were “extremely happy” that he would become the next chief minister of West Bengal. She said Adhikari had been unanimously elected and nominated by 207 BJP MLAs and was “completely eligible” for the post because of the way he had fought both inside and outside the Assembly over the last five years.

After Suvendu Adhikari was elected leader of the West Bengal BJP Legislative Party, state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said the party’s rise to power in the state was the dream of “millions of BJP workers”. Calling it a historic moment, he said, “On the land of Shyama Prasad, a government of Shyama Prasad is going to be formed,” adding that there could hardly be a bigger moment in their lives. Bhattacharya claimed that the people of West Bengal had “uprooted and thrown away the reign of jungle raj” and termed the BJP’s victory a “victory of democracy”. He also said that former chief minister Mamata Banerjee had been invited to the swearing-in ceremony “as per protocol”.

Ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of the BJP government in West Bengal, BJP leader Dilip Ghosh said the party’s long struggle in the state had finally paid off with the people voting for change. Claiming that the “dream of Syama Prasad Mookerjee has been fulfilled”, Ghosh alleged that the Trinamool Congress and the Congress were rejected by the public for “oppressing people and misusing power”. He said voters gave a “befitting reply” to the opposition parties by electing the BJP to power in the state.

The BJP government in West Bengal is likely to have two deputy chief ministers, sources said on Friday ahead of Suvendu Adhikari’s swearing-in ceremony. According to sources, one of the deputy CM posts is almost certain to go to a woman leader as the party looks to balance caste, regional and gender representation in the new cabinet.

Suvendu Adhikari was unanimously elected leader of the BJP legislature party, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah making the announcement on Friday after a meeting of newly elected BJP MLAs and senior party leaders in Kolkata. The decision formally sealed the BJP’s emphatic capture of power in West Bengal following its victory in the Assembly elections.

Suvendu Adhikari and his council of ministers are scheduled to be sworn in at a grand ceremony at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Grounds on Saturday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several senior Union ministers and around 20 chief ministers from BJP-ruled states are expected to attend the high-profile event as the BJP forms its first government in West Bengal.