West Bengal CM List Since 1947: BJP Victory Set to Add New Name

As the BJP prepares to form its first-ever government in West Bengal after reportedly winning 206 of the state's 293 seats in the Assembly Elections, a new name is set to join Bengal’s roster of Chief Ministers. With Suvendu Adhikari, Samik Bhattacharya, and Agnimitra Paul emerging as frontrunners, here is every Bengal CM who governed the state since Independence.

The First Man to Lead Bengal

Prafulla Chandra Ghosh became West Bengal's first head of government on August 15, 1947, serving just 160 days. He later returned briefly in 1967 as an independent, making him the only leader to have headed the state under two entirely different political identities.

The Architect Who Governed for 14 Years

Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy is the most consequential Bengal CM in history. He governed from 1948 until his death on July 1, 1962, laying the state's administrative and infrastructural foundations. Prafulla Chandra Sen succeeded him, completing Congress's unbroken hold on the state until 1967.

Coalition Chaos and Three Spells of President's Rule

Between 1967 and 1972, West Bengal saw four government stints and three separate periods of President's Rule. Ajoy Mukherjee of Bangla Congress served three non-consecutive stints as Chief Minister during this period. Siddhartha Shankar Ray of the INC eventually restored order, serving a full term from 1972 to 1977.

Jyoti Basu's Record-Breaking Reign

The 1977 election delivered the CPI(M)-led Left Front to power. Jyoti Basu then served as Bengal CM for an uninterrupted 23 years and 138 days, an all-India record at the time.

Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and the Left's Slow Decline

Buddhadeb Bhattacharya succeeded Basu in 2000 and extended Left rule for a further decade. His government won elections in 2001 and 2006, but controversies around land acquisition in Singur and Nandigram eroded his support base, ending the Left Front's 34-year grip in 2011.

Mamata Banerjee's Historic Three Terms

Mamata Banerjee became the first woman to serve as Bengal CM in May 2011 and won re-election in both 2016 and 2021. Her 15-year tenure now ends with the BJP's 2026 sweep. 

According to Hindustan Times, Adhikari, who defeated Banerjee in Bhabanipur by 15,105 votes, leads the race for the top post. West Bengal has had eight Chief Ministers across five political formations since 1947. The next name on that list will mark the state's most consequential political transition in a generation.

(With inputs from yMedia)