The BJP government in West Bengal is scheduled to form its complete Cabinet on Monday. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari revealed that 35 ministers will be sworn in at Lok Bhavan during the Cabinet expansion. The oath ceremony will be administered by Governor Shri RN Ravi at 11 a.m.
Following the BJP’s victory over the Trinamool Congress on May 4, the party will establish its first government in West Bengal. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, along with five other ministers, took oath on May 9 at the Brigade Parade Ground in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Discussions on expanding the Cabinet have been ongoing since then.
The BJP leadership, including Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and state president Samik Bhattacharya, held meetings in Delhi last week to discuss the Cabinet expansion. Speculation arose that the expansion could happen soon. The BJP is now set to finalize the Cabinet formation on June 1.
If 35 new members are added to the existing six-member cabinet, the total strength will reach 41, including the Chief Minister. The Constitution limits the number of ministers to 15% of the total Assembly strength, allowing a maximum of 44 ministers in the 294-member West Bengal Assembly.
The BJP aims to ensure fair representation from all districts in the Cabinet due to the party’s widespread support across the state during the elections. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is expected to allocate portfolios to the new ministers post the oath-taking ceremony on Monday. However, there has been no indication of which of the 208 victorious BJP MLAs will be included in the ministry.
