West Bengal: New Prime Minister likely to be sworn in on May 9, Rabindra Nath Tagore’s birthday; Suvendu Adhikari frontrunner

New Delhi: The exercise of forming a BJP government in WB has begun and the outgoing Assembly will be dissolved anytime and the newly elected BJP MPs are likely to support the party’s CM pick before May 9. Home Minister Amit Shah, who secured a landslide victory for the BJP, is likely to chair the meeting of the newly elected MLAs as there are signs that Suvendu Adhikari, who defeated Mamata in his hometown Bhabanipur, has emerged as the frontrunner for the chief ministership. Sources said the party is also considering appointing a deputy chief minister. Sources said the governor may soon announce the dissolution of the state assembly, whose five-year term ends on Friday. Regardless of whether Mamata steps down, the dissolution of the House will end her tenure. Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said in Kolkata that the oath-taking ceremony may be held on May 9, which happens to be the birth anniversary of Pochishe Boishakh and Rabindra Nath Tagore, at Kolkata’s legendary Independence Square. The choice of possible dates is in line with the BJP’s emphasis on integrating West Bengal’s cultural traditions