The Suvendu Adhikari-led government expanded its cabinet with 35 new ministers, taking the total strength of the ministry to 41
Kolkata: Nearly a month after the formation of the new government in West Bengal, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday carried out a major expansion of his cabinet, inducting 35 leaders into the state ministry during a swearing-in ceremony held at Lok Bhavan.
The expansion comes weeks after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a decisive victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections, ending the Trinamool Congress's 15-year tenure in power. With the latest induction, the total number of ministers in the state cabinet has risen to 41.
One of the prominent faces in the cabinet expansion was former Indian cricketer Ashok Dinda, who transitioned into politics and was elected as an MLA from the Moyna constituency. His inclusion has drawn significant attention, given his sporting background and growing political profile in the state.
“The cabinet expansion marks the next phase of governance under the new BJP-led administration in West Bengal.”
Major Cabinet Expansion Strengthens New Government
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in on May 9, along with five ministers, shortly after the BJP formed the government in the state. Those sworn in during the first phase included Dilip Ghosh, Nisith Pramanik, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, and K. Tudu.
Monday's expansion significantly broadened the government's administrative structure, with 35 additional leaders taking the oath of office. While the state government has yet to announce portfolio allocations for the newly inducted ministers, the ceremony marked one of the largest cabinet expansions since the formation of the new administration.
Senior BJP Leaders Among New Cabinet Ministers
Several senior BJP leaders were inducted as cabinet ministers during the expansion. Among them were Deepak Burman, Swapan Dasgupta, Tapas Roy, Shankar Ghosh, Manoj Kumar Oram, Arjun Singh, Gauri Shankar Ghosh, Ajay Poddar, and Jagannath Chatterjee.
Political observers view the appointments as an effort to balance administrative experience, regional representation, and o strength within the government.
The expanded cabinet is expected to play a key role in implementing the BJP government's policy agenda and election commitments across the state.
Ashok Dinda Among New Ministers of State
Former cricketer Ashok Dinda was among several leaders appointed as Ministers of State. Others appointed to similar positions include Jewel Murmu, Harikrishna Bera, Santanu Pramanik, Umesh Roy, Purnima Chakraborty, Bhaskar Bhattacharya, Kalita Maji, Biraj Biswas, Anandamoy Barman, Vishal Lama, and Dipankar Jana.
Additionally, Malati Rava Rai, Rajesh Mahato, and Indranil Khan were appointed as Ministers of State with independent charge, giving them direct responsibility over designated departments.
“The inclusion of leaders from diverse backgrounds reflects the government's attempt to create a broad-based administrative team.”
Key Portfolios Already Allocated
While the newly inducted ministers are awaiting portfolio assignments, the government has already distributed responsibilities among five ministers who were sworn in earlier.
Dilip Ghosh has been assigned the Panchayat and Rural Development, Animal Husbandry Development, and Agricultural Marketing departments. Agnimitra Paul has been entrusted with Women and Child Welfare as well as Urban and Rural Development.
Nisith Pramanik has been given charge of the North Bengal Development and Sports departments. Ashok Kirtania has taken charge of the Food Department, while Khudiram Tudu has been assigned the Backwards Classes Welfare and Minority Affairs portfolio.
Focus on Governance and Administrative Expansion
The cabinet expansion is being viewed as a significant step in strengthening the administrative framework of the newly elected government. With a larger team in place, the state administration is expected to accelerate policy implementation, regional development initiatives, and governance reforms.
