Bengal's Adhikari: Suvendu to be state's first BJP CM

KOLKATA: BJP's Suvendu Adhikari staked claim Friday to form the first saffron govt in Bengal after being unanimously elected leader of the 207-strong legislature party, paving the way for him to take oath Saturday as the state's ninth chief minister.

Union home minister Amit Shah, who had a hand in bringing one-time Mamata Banerjee aide Adhikari from Trinamool Congress to BJP in 2020, spoke eloquently about how the East Midnapore strongman epitomised what BJP aspired to achieve in the state.

"We received eight proposals and all of them had one name. Adequate time was given for a second name, but none was proposed. Therefore, I announce Suvendu Adhikari as the chief minister of Bengal," Shah said after a 30-minute meeting with the newly elected BJP legislators.

"I have known Suvendu for a long time. He is a fighter and has been in administration as well. He, along with our team, will be successful in delivering good governance in Bengal. He has fought, and his fight has brought results today."