Bengal’s Big Monday: Suvendu Adhikari Government Gears Up For Full Cabinet On June 1

Nikunj Parikh - Mumbai Bureau May 31, 2026 3,300 Views

West Bengal will see a major cabinet expansion on June 1, as the new BJP government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari moves to put a full-fledged ministry in place ahead of the Budget session. With up to 30–35 new ministers likely to be sworn in, the reshuffle will shape both governance and internal power equations for the next phase of Bengal politics.

Governor C V Ananda Bose is slated to administer the oath at a swearing-in ceremony in Kolkata, capping weeks of backroom negotiations over regional balance, caste representation and the accommodation of senior BJP faces. The expanded cabinet will also be watched closely for how it blends old Sangh loyalists, defectors from other parties and fresh first-time MLAs.

What The June 1 Expansion Signals

Reports indicate that the Suvendu Adhikari government is aiming for a near “full strength” council of ministers, potentially taking the ministry size close to the constitutional cap of 44, including the chief minister. This would mean a significant infusion of new ministers beyond the initial core team sworn in when the BJP first took power earlier this month. Expect key portfolios like home, finance, education, health and rural development to be redistributed in line with both administrative priorities and political compulsions.

Balancing Act Before Budget Session

The timing is strategic. The West Bengal Assembly’s Budget session is slated to begin in mid-June, and the government wants a settled, functioning cabinet in place before detailed discussions on spending, welfare schemes and development projects. For the BJP, this expansion is also about stabilising its new regime: rewarding loyalists, signalling outreach to different districts, and ensuring that influential leaders who helped deliver the election win feel adequately represented in the state’s power structure.