The legislators sworn in as cabinet ministers include Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Nisith Pramanik, Kshudiram Tudu, and Ashok Kirtania. The oath-taking ceremony was held in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with several other senior dignitaries.
Dilip Ghosh, a veteran BJP leader and former state party president, has been a key figure in expanding the party’s grassroots organisational network in West Bengal following his association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh as a full-time campaigner. He previously served as the Member of Parliament from the Medinipur constituency in the Lok Sabha.
Agnimitra Paul, a fashion designer-turned-politician, is currently the only woman minister in the cabinet. She joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2019 and rose through organisational ranks, becoming the state president of the Mahila Morcha in 2020, succeeding Locket Chatterjee. In 2021, she was appointed General Secretary of the BJP in West Bengal. She defeated Saayoni Ghosh of the Trinamool Congress in Asansol Dakshin during the 2021 Assembly elections. However, she later faced electoral defeats in the 2022 Lok Sabha bypolls from Asansol against Shatrughan Sinha and in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Medinipur against June Malia. She was subsequently appointed vice-president of the BJP in West Bengal earlier this year and recently secured victory from Asansol Dakshin Assembly constituency.
Kshudiram Tudu, a tribal leader from Bankura district, represents the Ranibandh constituency in the tribal-dominated Jungle Mahal region. His inclusion is seen as part of the party’s broader strategy to strengthen outreach among tribal communities in the state.
Nisith Pramanik, one of the prominent young leaders from North Bengal, also features in the cabinet. A former member of the Trinamool Congress, he joined the BJP in 2019. In July 2021, he was appointed as Minister of State for Home Affairs and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports in the central government, becoming the youngest minister at the age of 35. He represents the Rajbanshi community and holds significant influence in North Bengal’s political and organisational structure.
Ashok Kirtania is also among the newly inducted ministers, completing the initial five-member cabinet formation announced during the ceremony.
According to official provisions, the West Bengal Council of Ministers can accommodate up to 44 members, leaving space for the induction of 39 additional ministers in the future, indicating the possibility of further cabinet expansion.
The formation of the new cabinet under Suvendu Adhikari, attended by top national leadership, marks a major political transition in West Bengal, setting the tone for the administrative direction and organisational strategy of the newly established government.
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