Following the recently concluded assembly elections, four states and one Union Territory including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry have begun government formation processes, with parties announcing leaders and preparing to stake claims in their respective legislatures.
West Bengal: Suvendu Adhikari to lead new government
Suvendu Adhikari was formally named Chief Minister of West Bengal on Friday after the BJP’s sweeping electoral victory ended 15 years of Trinamool Congress rule.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who chaired the legislature party meeting in Kolkata, announced, “I announce the name of Suvendu Adhikari elected as Leader of West Bengal BJP Legislative Party,” with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi present as co-observer.
The swearing-in ceremony will take place on May 9 at the Brigade Parade Grounds in Kolkata at 11 am. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, and chief ministers from other BJP-ruled states are expected to attend.
Adhikari, who joined the BJP in December 2020 after leaving the Trinamool Congress, where he had once been a close associate of Mamata Banerjee, emerged as the party’s choice. He defeated Banerjee in Nandigram in 2021 and later won the Bhabanipur seat, her traditional stronghold, by over 15,000 votes.
The BJP won the West Bengal assembly elections with a historic 207 of 264 seats.
Following the results announced on May 4, Mamata Banerjee alleged vote rigging and initially refused to resign. Her claim was backed by the INDIA bloc.
Governor RN Ravi dissolved the assembly on Thursday ahead of government formation.
Tamil Nadu: Vijay claims majority with Left support
In Tamil Nadu, actor-politician C Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has secured majority support with backing from CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML.
Left leaders said they supported TVK to prevent BJP entry. CPI(M) state secretary TT Shanmugam said, “If the government is not formed by 10th May, Governor’s rule will be imposed. In Tamil Nadu, Governor’s rule is like the BJP entering through back door.”
TVK claims support of 118 MLAs, the minimum required. However, the Governor’s office has not yet extended a formal invitation as supporting documentation remains incomplete. There are also reports that the oath ceremony will be held at 11 am tomorrow.
CPI and CPM, with two MLAs each, were earlier DMK allies and were given a free hand by DMK chief MK Stalin to decide on their political alignment. Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thol Thirumavalavan said he would also extend support by offering two seats to TVK, taking the total to 119.
After receiving support from Left parties, TVK chief Vijay along with senior party functionaries met Governor Arlekar seeking invitation to form the government.
Sources said the VCK letter was not included in the memorandum submitted to the Governor’s office, which puts TVK’s effective tally at 117, just short of the 118-mark majority in the 234-member Assembly.
TVK has 108 seats, Congress has offered five, and the two Left parties have two seats each, totalling 117.
As no confirmation has been received from the Governor’s office, it remains unclear whether the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for May 9 at 11 am will be held.
Vijay has also claimed support of one of the two IUML MLAs and the lone winning candidate of the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK). TVK emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats, while DMK won 59 and AIADMK 47.
Kerala: KC Venugopal leads CM race
In Kerala, Congress leader KC Venugopal is “way ahead” in the race for Chief Minister, according to party sources after observers submitted their report to the leadership.
Venugopal, VD Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala are the key contenders. Venugopal is also expected to resign his Lok Sabha seat if selected.
The UDF secured a decisive win in the 140-member House, winning 63 seats on its own and 102 with allies such as the Indian Union Muslim League (22) and Kerala Congress (seven).
Outgoing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s CPM-led Left Democratic Front secured 35 seats.
The swearing-in is expected on Monday and may be attended by Rahul Gandhi.
Assam: Swearing-in on May 12 with PM Modi
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the NDA government formation process will begin after the BJP legislative party meeting on May 10.
He said, “On 12th May, at 11 AM, in the presence of PM Narendra Modi and other guests, the new government will take oath.”
The NDA includes BJP, AGP and BPF. BJP Assam unit president Dilip Saikia announced on Wednesday during a meeting with leaders of its regional ally, Asom Gana Parishad, that Himanta Biswa Sarma will take oath as Chief Minister for a second consecutive term.
The BJP and its allies registered a strong performance with 102 seats out of 126, while Congress recorded its worst performance with 19 seats. Its ally Raijor Dal won two seats.
The BJP alone won 82 seats, 22 more than its 2021 tally. Among allies, Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People’s Front secured 10 seats combined.
Puducherry: Rangasamy returns as CM
In Puducherry, Chief Minister N Rangasamy resigned on Thursday and will return as Chief Minister after the AINRC-led NDA’s victory.
The NDA won 18 seats (AINRC-12, BJP-4, AIADMK-1, LJK-1), crossing the 16-seat majority mark in the 30-member House. The INDIA bloc won six (DMK-5, Congress-1), while Independents secured three seats.
Rangasamy, who won both seats he contested, is set to become Chief Minister for a record fifth time. He said he will stake claim after consulting partners.
Congress suffered a major defeat, with internal dissent following the result. PCC chief V Vaithilingam resigned, taking moral responsibility. (With inputs from agencies)
MT
