CM Suvendu heads to Delhi as portfolio allocation for 40-member cabinet awaits decision

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari left for New Delhi on Tuesday amid growing speculation over the allocation of portfolios in the newly expanded state cabinet. The visit comes a day after 35 newly inducted ministers took oath, taking the total strength of the ministry to 40 members. Despite the cabinet expansion, departmental responsibilities have not yet been announced.

According to reports, the Chief Minister is expected to hold meetings with senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders in the national capital, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president Nitin Nabin. Discussions are likely to focus on cabinet portfolio distribution as well as organisational and administrative matters related to the new government in West Bengal.

Sources also indicated that Suvendu Adhikari is scheduled to attend a special meeting in Delhi, although the agenda of the meeting has not been made public. The timing of the visit has drawn attention as the state government is yet to finalise the distribution of responsibilities among ministers sworn in during the latest cabinet expansion.

Before departing for Delhi, the Chief Minister attended a public grievance programme, Janatar Darbare, at the BJP office in Salt Lake. He was also scheduled to visit Tarakeswar Temple, hold an administrative review meeting in Tarakeswar, and assess preparations related to the proposed visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 20. Reports suggest that Modi may address a public rally in Tarakeswar during his visit to West Bengal.

Following the BJP’s victory in the 2026 Assembly election, in which the party secured 208 of 294 seats, Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as Chief Minister on May 9. Several senior leaders were inducted into the ministry during the first phase, while another 35 ministers took oath before Governor R. N. Ravi on Monday. The expanded cabinet includes 13 Cabinet Ministers, 3 Ministers of State with Independent Charge, 19 Ministers of State, and three additional ministers expected to receive independent charge portfolios.