Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Kolkata on Friday morning amid intense speculation over the BJP’s choice for the next Chief Minister of West Bengal. His aircraft landed at Kolkata airport shortly after 11 am, where he was received by senior BJP leaders including Shamik Bhattacharya, Sukanta Majumdar and Suvendu Adhikari.
Amit Shah arrives in Kolkata today
After arriving at the airport, Shah went directly to the Dakshineswar Kali Temple to offer prayers. From there, he is scheduled to head to a hotel in New Town before attending a crucial BJP meeting at Biswa Bangla Convention Centre later in the day.
Shah offers prayers at Dakshineswar Temple
According to BJP sources, Shah will hold discussions with the party’s newly elected MLAs and prospective legislators during the meeting. The BJP legislature party leader is expected to be selected there, and the name of the next Chief Minister could also be finalised by Friday evening.
BJP legislature meeting scheduled this afternoon
A lunch meeting has also been organised at the New Town hotel ahead of the legislature party discussions. Shah is expected to stay overnight at the hotel and will leave for Brigade Parade Ground on Saturday, where the swearing-in ceremony of the new Chief Minister is scheduled to take place
Shah to attend swearing-in ceremony
The BJP leadership has appointed Shah as the central observer for the process of electing the leader of the legislative party in the Assembly. Mohan Charan Majhi has been assigned to assist him. It is a standard BJP parliamentary practice to send central observers after elections to oversee the selection of the legislature party leader through discussions with newly elected MLAs.
Sources indicated that the BJP’s role inside the Assembly is set to change significantly as the party prepares to form the government in the state. Since the legislature party leader of the ruling party also becomes the Chief Minister, Friday’s meeting is expected to determine both positions simultaneously.
Chief Minister’s name may be finalised
Speculation continues within BJP circles over who will ultimately be chosen as the next Chief Minister. Many party leaders and supporters believe Suvendu Adhikari could be selected for the post. However, whether the party leadership finalises his name or opts for another candidate is expected to become clear by Friday evening. Sources further said that the chosen leader may later visit Raj Bhavan with the newly elected MLAs to formally stake a claim to form the government before the Governor.
