West Bengal: New CM likely to take oath on May 9, Rabindra Nath Tagore’s birthday; Suvendu Adhikari frontrunner | India News
NEW DELHI: The drill for formation of a BJP govt in WB has kicked in, with the outgoing assembly set to be dissolved anytime and newly elected BJP MLAs likely to endorse party’s CM pick before May 9. Home minister Amit Shah, who scripted BJP’s landslide win, is likely to preside over the meeting of newly elected MLAs amid indications that Suvendu Adhikari, who defeated Mamata on her home turf of Bhabanipur, has emerged as the frontrunner for CM’s post. Sources said the party was also considering appointment of a deputy CM. Sources said that the governor may soon announce dissolution of the state assembly, whose five-year-term runs out on Friday. Dissolution of the House will end Mamata’s term irrespective of whether or not she steps down. Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said in Kolkata that the oath-taking ceremony may take place on May 9, which happens to be Pochishe Boishakh and the birth anniversary of Rabindra Nath Tagore, in Kolkata’s legendary Maidan. The choice of the possible date fits in with BJP’s emphasis on integrating itself with West Bengal’s cultural tradition