As Suvendu Adhikari gets ready to take oath as the first Bharatiya Janata Party Chief Minister of West Bengal, political conversations across the state have shifted toward another question dominating Bengal’s political atmosphere — where is Mamata Banerjee?
With the grand swearing-in ceremony scheduled at Kolkata’s iconic Brigade Parade Ground on Saturday, Banerjee has remained largely absent from the public eye following the dramatic election outcome that ended the 15-year rule of the All India Trinamool Congress.
Silence Around Mamata Sparks Speculation
There has been no official update from Banerjee’s office regarding her current location or whether she intends to attend the oath-taking ceremony of the incoming BJP government.
Her low public profile after the election results has fuelled intense speculation in political circles and on social media, especially after the BJP secured a sweeping mandate in the Assembly elections and formally elected Adhikari as its legislature party leader.
The political transition marks a historic moment in Bengal politics, with the BJP set to form its first government in the state since Independence.
BJP Says Mamata Was Invited ‘As Per Protocol’
Amid growing curiosity over Banerjee’s absence, Samik Bhattacharya confirmed that an official invitation had been sent to the former Chief Minister for the ceremony.
Speaking to reporters, Bhattacharya said Banerjee was invited according to constitutional and political protocol, adding that the final decision on attending the event now rests entirely with her.
He described Adhikari’s elevation as a landmark moment for BJP workers in Bengal and linked the party’s victory to the ideological vision of Syama Prasad Mookerjee.
National BJP Leadership to Attend Ceremony
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president Nitin Nabin, senior Union ministers and chief ministers from NDA-ruled states are expected to attend the high-profile ceremony in Kolkata.
The event is being projected by the BJP as the beginning of a major political shift in eastern India after the party’s decisive victory in the state elections.
From ‘Giant Killer’ to Chief Minister
Adhikari’s political rise has become one of the defining stories of Bengal politics over the past few years. He first gained national attention after defeating Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram during the 2021 elections, earning the image of a “giant killer.”
In the latest Assembly elections, he once again emerged as one of the BJP’s strongest faces against the TMC, helping lead the party to a historic victory that dismantled the long-standing dominance of Banerjee’s government.
Following a meeting with newly elected BJP MLAs on Friday, Amit Shah formally announced Adhikari as the legislature party leader, clearing the way for him to become Bengal’s next Chief Minister.
Bengal Awaits Mamata’s Next Move
While preparations for the oath ceremony continue at full pace, uncertainty surrounding Mamata Banerjee’s next political step continues to dominate discussions across the state.
Whether she chooses to attend the ceremony, stay away quietly, or make a public political statement afterward, her response is expected to shape the next phase of opposition politics in West Bengal after one of the biggest electoral setbacks of her career.
