In what is being hailed as a “historic victory”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to lead high-stakes meetings in New Delhi over the next two days to decide the next Chief Minister of West Bengal—setting the stage for one of the most crucial political appointments in recent years. Top BJP brass, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party national president Nitin Nabin, will huddle with Modi in a series of closed-door strategy sessions. Sources reveal that the final call on the Chief Minister will emerge from this elite trio, even as inputs pour in from central observers and state leadership. Key Bengal BJP figures, including state president Samik Bhattacharya and heavyweight leader Suvendu Adhikari, have reportedly been asked to remain in Delhi—fueling speculation about their possible roles in the new power structure. The BJP’s dramatic decision to contest the Bengal elections without projecting a Chief Ministerial face has now intensified speculation. Instead, the party banked on a “collective leadership” model—leaving the ultimate prize to be decided after the victory. Adding intrigue, Amit Shah had earlier promised that Bengal would get a leader “born and raised in the state” and educated in a Bangla-medium school—narrowing the field but raising the stakes.

While seniority and performance are rewarded, it will be balanced with younger and new-generation leaders. Leaders like Swapan Dasgupta, Agnimitra Paul, Nishith Pramanik, Ritesh Tiwari, Roopa Ganguly and Rudranil Ghosh are some of the prominent faces whose names are likely to be considered while the party ponders over appointment of the cabinet ministers. Veterans like Vijay Ojha, Umesh Rai and Sanjay Singh are also some of the prominent faces in the party.

On Monday evening, state BJP leaders, including Bengal BJP minder Sunil Bansal, Mangal Pandey and Amit Malviya, stayed at the party office in Salt Lake to watch Modi’s address at the party headquarter in New Delhi. Celebration at the state headquarter started since the poll trends started showing an increasing gap with Trinamool early in the evening. Saffron abir floated in the air as drums and trumpets filled the air. BJP workers entered the party office with garlands and packets of jhalmuri to greet each other. Workers on the third floor of the party office took selfies with Bansal and Malviya. Later in the afternoon, Samik Bhattacharya left for Syama Prasad Mukherjee’s residence near Kalighat.