West Bengal Government Formation Live Updates: BJP Meets in Kolkata to Finalise CM – May 8, 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has arrived in Kolkata as the Bharatiya Janata Party prepares to take a crucial call on its Chief Ministerial candidate in West Bengal. A key BJP legislative party meeting is scheduled at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre, where the leadership is expected to finalise its pick after consultations with newly elected MLAs. State president Samik Bhattacharya indicated that the decision could pave the way for a swearing-in ceremony, likely to be held at the Brigade Parade Ground.

Speculation over the CM face has intensified, with senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari emerging as a leading contender. Adhikari’s electoral track record, including his high-profile victory over Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram in 2021, and his reported strong performance in the latest Assembly elections, has bolstered his position within the party. Many BJP supporters and leaders view him as a frontrunner, though the central leadership has kept its final decision under wraps.

Meanwhile, Mohan Charan Majhi, the Chief Minister of Odisha, has been appointed as the BJP’s co-observer for West Bengal. Calling it a significant responsibility to work alongside Amit Shah, Majhi expressed confidence that the party would soon establish a stable government in the state. The appointment signals the BJP leadership’s focus on closely managing the transition as it moves toward government formation.

Political activity across West Bengal has intensified following the election results. In Asansol, interactions between Trinamool Congress councillors and BJP MLA Jitendra Tiwari have sparked speculation about shifting political alignments, even as both sides described them as routine meetings. Tensions have also risen amid reports of post-poll violence, with the BJP alleging that two of its workers were injured in a bomb attack in Howrah’s Shibpur area, accusations that have further heightened the charged political atmosphere.