BJP expands West Bengal cabinet, 35 ministers sworn in

The first Bharatiya Janata Party government in West Bengal is set to formally complete its formation with a major cabinet expansion on Monday, June 1. Thirty-five new ministers will be sworn in at Lok Bhavan in Kolkata, bringing the total strength of the Council of Ministers to 40 or 41, according to official announcements.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who took office on May 9 following the BJP's victory in the 2026 Assembly elections, announced the ceremony via social media. He stated that the full cabinet of the democratically elected government would take oath and reiterated his administration's commitment to fulfilling the aspirations of the people. Governor R.N. Ravi is scheduled to administer the oaths.

The expansion marks the establishment of the first full-fledged BJP cabinet in the state's history, ending the Trinamool Congress's 15-year rule. It is seen as a crucial step in transitioning from election mode to governance, with the government expected to begin implementing policy priorities across sectors including healthcare, infrastructure, and agriculture.

The new ministers are expected to include a mix of seasoned politicians, professionals, and first-time...