Shah to preside over BJP meet to choose Bengal CM

New Delhi/Kolkata: The new BJP govt is likely to take oath on May 9 — Panchishe Baishakh, the birth anniversary of Bengali polymath Rabindra Nath Tagore — with Union home minister Amit Shah, who scripted the massive win, set to preside over the meeting of MLAs to elect the new chief minister.

Shah was named the central observer for the meeting of BJP's newly elected MLAs, with Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi as a co-observer. Many within the party view Suvendu Adhikari, who stunned outgoing CM Mamata Banerjee in Bhowanipore, as the lead contender to be the legislative party leader, who will be the next CM.



Picking Shah as the central observer attests the instrumental role he played in crafting BJP's path to winning 207 seats in the 294-member assembly. The polling in one seat, Falta, was countermanded and re-election will be held on May 21.

To cater to aspirations of diverse sections, especially the party's support base, BJP has often chosen to pick deputy chief ministers in states where it is in office. Party sources that the formula is also being considered for Bengal. While one deputy CM might be picked from north Bengal, the other might be from south Bengal.

Oath-taking on May 9 will be in line with BJP's attempts to pay tribute to Bengal's cultural icons. "The PM has spoken about 25 Baishakh, the birthday of Rabindranath Tagore. The oath-taking ceremony is likely to coincide with that date," state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said.

BJP sources said that a proposal was being sent to the party brass to hold a grand ceremony at the Brigade Parade ground. PM Narendra Modi had earlier said that he would be present at the oath-taking ceremony. Shah is likely to reach Kolkata a day before the ceremony. CMs of all BJP-governed states would be invited for the programme.

As part of the process followed after elections, BJP leadership sends central observers to meet the party's newly elected MLAs and select the legislative party leader.