Kolkata/IBNS: Suspense prevails over who will succeed Mamata Banerjee as West Bengal Chief Minister, with the Bharatiya Janata Party yet to name its choice after storming to power in the state.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who played a central role in the BJP’s campaign, will be in Kolkata on Thursday.
Shah is expected to preside over a meeting of BJP MLA-elects on May 7 to elect the leader of the legislative party.
State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said the swearing-in ceremony will be held at Brigade Parade Ground on May 9, coinciding with Rabindra Jayanti, a day of cultural significance in the state.
Outgoing Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has emerged as the frontrunner after registering twin victories in Nandigram and Mamata Banerjee’s home turf, Bhabanipur, defeating her by over 1,500 votes.
Adhikari had also defeated Banerjee in Nandigram in 2021.
Though his supporters are backing him for the top post, the 55-year-old leader said the party’s decision will be final and binding.
Other names doing the rounds include Samik Bhattacharya, Rashbehari MLA-elect Swapan Dasgupta, and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar.
Political observers do not rule out the possibility of a relatively new face, in line with the BJP’s trend in other states.
Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee has refused to resign following her defeat.
Addressing a press conference at her party office in Kalighat, she claimed a “moral victory,” alleging the BJP came to power through force.
“Why would I give my resignation? I didn’t lose… We didn’t lose the election. The BJP has won it forcefully. Officially they may have won, but not morally,” she said.
The BJP dismissed the remarks as “laughable.”