Kolkata: With West Bengal on the verge of witnessing its first-ever Bharatiya Janata Party government, political speculation has intensified after BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul made a sudden and low-profile visit to New Delhi amid crucial leadership discussions.
Paul reportedly flew to the national capital on Tuesday for meetings with the BJP’s central leadership before returning to Kolkata, triggering fresh buzz over the party’s final decision on the next Chief Minister of West Bengal.
The visit comes at a decisive moment as the BJP leadership races against time to finalize the state’s top leadership and cabinet formation ahead of the swearing-in ceremony scheduled later this week.
BREAKING 🚨
BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul retained her Asansol Dakshin assembly constituency in West Bengal, defeating TMC’s Tapas Banerjee by 40,839 votes, according to the Election Commission.
Congratulations to boro didi @paulagnimitra1 ….. Ministry awaits ❤️ pic.twitter.com/mgkfxI5pcO
— Oxomiya Jiyori 🇮🇳 (@SouleFacts) May 4, 2026
CM Race Enters Final Phase
Although Agnimitra Paul’s Delhi trip has attracted attention in political circles, senior BJP leaders maintain that the final decision on the Chief Minister’s post will be taken by the party’s parliamentary board and central leadership.
Several heavyweight leaders are currently being discussed as frontrunners for the historic post.
BJP’s West Bengal CM Puzzle: Is Agnimitra Paul The Surprise Pick To Replace Mamata Banerjee?https://t.co/TmSAcq1jhV pic.twitter.com/7LPAgmvDmx
— NewsX World (@NewsX) May 6, 2026
Among them is Suvendu Adhikari, who emerged as one of the BJP’s strongest faces in Bengal after registering major electoral victories in both Nandigram and Bhabanipur. His aggressive campaign against the Trinamool Congress significantly boosted the party’s performance across the state.
Another key contender is Dilip Ghosh, regarded as one of the architects of the BJP’s grassroots expansion in West Bengal over the past decade.
Attention is also on Samik Bhattacharya, who has been handling the party’s organisational transition during the post-election phase.
Meanwhile, political commentator-turned-politician Swapan Dasgupta is also being viewed as an influential intellectual face within the party’s Bengal leadership structure.
Brigade Parade Ground Chosen for Historic Oath Ceremony
In a symbolic political move, the BJP has decided to hold the swearing-in ceremony at Kolkata’s iconic Brigade Parade Ground instead of the traditional Raj Bhavan venue.
The ceremony is scheduled for May 9 at 10 AM and is expected to witness a massive public gathering, marking a major political transition in the state after decades of non-BJP rule.
State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya confirmed the venue and timing, though the party has not yet officially announced whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi or other senior central leaders will attend the event.
Delhi Meetings Trigger Cabinet Speculation
Political observers believe Agnimitra Paul’s brief Delhi visit signals that the BJP’s central leadership is now in the final stages of deciding not only the Chief Ministerial face but also the broader cabinet structure for the incoming government.
With suspense continuing over the BJP’s first Chief Minister in West Bengal, the coming days are expected to shape one of the most significant political transitions in the state’s recent history.
