If BJP wins Bengal election 2026, who will be CM? Amit Shah drops big hint…

Kolkata: With the West Bengal Assembly elections drawing closer, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified its campaign while keeping one key question unanswered: Who will be the Chief Minister if the party comes to power?

Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the issue on Saturday during the release of the BJP’s manifesto, ‘Sankalp Patra’, in Kolkata.

Responding to a question from journalists on whether the next Chief Minister was present among the party leaders on stage, Shah said the BJP does not believe in projecting leadership based on lineage.

“We are not a dynastic party where leadership passes from one family member to another. Any Bengali can become the Chief Minister. A BJP leader from Bengal will take up the responsibility,” Shah said.

He added that the party would choose a leader who is capable, qualified, and committed to delivering good governance. “There is no need to worry. The person will be competent and will lead Bengal effectively,” he said.

The BJP’s strategy of going into the elections without a declared chief ministerial face has sparked political debate, especially in a state where personality-driven campaigns have historically played a crucial role.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has already clearly positioned its leadership, in contrast to the BJP’s approach.

The manifesto launch event was attended by several senior BJP leaders, including state president Samik Bhattacharya, leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari, Agnimitra Paul, Tapas Roy, and Shantanu Thakur.

West Bengal will head into the first phase of polling on April 23, covering 152 constituencies. With just weeks to go, campaigning has picked up pace, accompanied by aggressive claims and counterclaims from all major political parties.

Mamata Banerjee has expressed confidence that the TMC will win over 226 seats in the Assembly. On the other hand, Amit Shah has set a target of securing a two-thirds majority for the BJP.

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Suvendu Adhikari has gone a step further, claiming the party will cross 177 seats, while TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee has asserted that the BJP will be reduced to below 50 seats.

Amid this high-stakes political battle, the BJP’s manifesto outlines several promises, including direct financial assistance to women and youth through bank transfers.

As the campaign enters its final stretch, the question of leadership remains open-ended. The answer will ultimately depend on the verdict of the voters, which will be announced on May 4.