Adhikari holds Delhi consultations as Bengal cabinet portfolio allocation nears finalisation

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari made a whirlwind visit to New Delhi on Friday, meeting senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders as the newly-formed state government moves closer to finalising portfolio allocation among the 35 ministers inducted into the expanded cabinet.

According to sources, Adhikari held discussions with BJP national president Nitin Nabin and BJP national general secretary Sunil Bansal. Deliberations focused primarily on distributing key ministerial responsibilities in the West Bengal government.

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Sources familiar with the discussions said that while broad agreement has been reached on most departments, consultations continued over a handful of significant portfolios, including School Education and Higher Education. This prompted a slight delay in the formal announcement of responsibilities for the newly inducted ministers. The portfolio allocation, initially expected earlier this week, is now likely to be finalised within days after the party leadership completes consultations on key assignments.

Adhikari, who assumed office after leading the BJP to a historic victory in West Bengal, travelled to the national capital after attending official engagements in Kolkata during the morning. He spent several hours in Delhi meeting senior party functionaries before returning to Kolkata later in the evening.

Party insiders described the visit as part of the BJP’s effort to ensure smooth coordination between the state government and the party’s central leadership during the crucial early weeks of the administration. The expanded cabinet, comprising 35 newly inducted ministers, is expected to play a key role in implementing the government’s governance agenda across sectors including education, infrastructure, industry, rural development and social welfare.

The delay in portfolio allocation has generated considerable political interest, particularly because departments such as School Education and Higher Education are seen as critical to the government’s plans to reform administrative systems and improve service delivery. Sources indicated that discussions centred on matching ministerial experience and political considerations with the state’s governance priorities.

Beyond cabinet formation, Adhikari’s Delhi visit is also being viewed as part of the new government’s broader strategy to strengthen engagement with the Centre. Officials and party leaders believe closer coordination with the Union government could help accelerate the implementation of centrally sponsored schemes and facilitate greater investment flows into the state.

The BJP government has repeatedly emphasised its commitment to improving the pace of infrastructure development, attracting private investment and ensuring efficient utilisation of central funds. Political observers noted that consultations with senior party leadership in Delhi are likely to remain a regular feature as the government seeks to align administrative priorities with its electoral promises.

‎With the cabinet expansion completed and portfolio negotiations entering the final stage, attention is now focused on the formal announcement of ministerial responsibilities. This announcement is expected to provide the first clear indication of the government’s governance structure and policy priorities for the coming years.