Amit Shah Reaches Kolkata to Finalise BJP’s First Chief Minister in West Bengal

Kolkata, May 2026 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Kolkata on Friday to oversee the selection of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s new legislative leader in West Bengal, who is set to become the state’s next Chief Minister following the party’s sweeping victory in the recently concluded Assembly elections.

Shah landed at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport at around 11 a.m., where he was received by senior BJP leaders, including the party’s West Bengal president and Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya and former Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari.

Soon after his arrival, the Union Home Minister proceeded to the famous Dakshineswar Kali Temple, where he offered prayers before beginning the day’s political engagements.

Following the temple visit, Shah headed to a hotel in New Town on the northern outskirts of Kolkata, where he was scheduled to hold discussions with senior state BJP leaders over lunch ahead of a key legislative party meeting.

The crucial meeting of the BJP’s newly elected MLAs is set to take place at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre later in the day. During the meeting, the BJP Legislature Party leader will be formally chosen. The selected leader will go on to become the first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal since India’s independence.

Party sources indicated that the selection process is being closely monitored by the central leadership, reflecting the political importance of the BJP’s landmark electoral victory in the state.

After the legislative leader is elected, the leader is expected to meet Governor R. N. Ravi at Lok Bhavan in Kolkata and formally stake claim to form the next government.

According to the itinerary released by the West Bengal BJP unit, Amit Shah will stay overnight at the New Town hotel. On Saturday morning, he is scheduled to travel directly to the Brigade Parade Ground, where the swearing-in ceremony of the new Chief Minister and Cabinet will be held.

The oath-taking ceremony is expected to witness the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several Chief Ministers from BJP-ruled states, senior Union ministers, and top party leaders from across the country.

Security has been significantly tightened across central Kolkata ahead of the event, with extensive arrangements already in place at Brigade Parade Ground. Officials said the ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday and is expected to draw a large gathering of party workers, supporters, and dignitaries.