Kolkata: The first Bengal BJP cabinet, sworn in on Saturday, includes a Brahmin from coastal Midnapore, an OBC and a Santhal from Jangalmahal, a woman from the industrial belt, a Rajbongshi from north Bengal and a Matua from the south Bengal belt bordering Bangladesh. These appointments represent regions where the BJP performed well in the 2026 polls, in some cases breaking the Trinamool stronghold.The geographical and social composition of the cabinet indicates that further expansions will maintain proportional representation from areas of BJP growth, a senior Bengal BJP neta admitted. Senior functionaries said internal deliberations regarding remaining berths are ongoing. The cabinet may eventually consist of 30-35 ministers, including deputy chief ministers.Party general secretary Jagannath Chattopadhyay took to Facebook to point out the geographic and social mix of the “historic cabinet”.Several senior BJP netas are tipped to be named in the cabinet expansion, including Swapan Dasgupta, Shankar Ghosh, Chattopadhyay himself, Tapas Ray and Sajal Ghosh, among others. Dasgupta, Ray and Ghosh are Kolkata MLAs; Kolkata did not have representation in the first six cabinet appointments by BJP.Dilip Ghosh, former state president and RSS pracharak, joined the cabinet as part of a specific party strategy. Ghosh entered the party in 2014 and became president in 2015. During his six-year tenure, he focused on organisation, leading the party to win 18 seats in 2019. Ghosh, an OBC from Gopiballavpur, took the oath immediately after chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, a Brahmin from East Midnapore.RSS veteran and Ranibandh MLA Khudiram Tudu was also sworn in. A former teacher, Tudu expanded BJP base in Bankura, Purulia and Jhargram despite regional violence. After losses in 2016 and 2021, his 2026 win resulted in an immediate cabinet role.“We saw a similar approach when PM Narendra Modi formed his 2024 cabinet,” a BJP neta noted. “Inclusion of veterans like Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Manohar Lal Khattar signalled that the party remains rooted in its ideological base.”While Tudu represents the Santhal community, Nisith Pramanik represents the Rajbanshis of Cooch Behar. Pramanik previously served as Union minister of state for home affairs. Ashok Kirtania, the two-time Bongaon Uttar MLA, represents the Matua community. These appointments aim for a socially inclusive image while maintaining focus on north Bengal, Rarh Bengal and the south.Appointment of Agnimitra Paul, ex-Mahila Morcha president and Asansol South MLA, emphasises women’s leadership and urban outreach. As the only woman in Adhikari’s initial five-member cabinet, her role supports the party’s ‘Nari Shakti’ message. “This moment is the beginning of hope and new dreams for West Bengal. The people will once again live with dignity,” state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya posted on X.
