KOLKATA: The Bengal cabinet portfolio allocation is expected to occur soon, most likely within this week, according to state BJP senior leaders who spoke late on Tuesday. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is slated to retain the critical home department, BJP seniors indicated, adding that other important departments would be entrusted to "senior and capable" MLAs.
Key Portfolio Assignments
Oncologist Sharadwat Mukherjee is highly likely to be appointed as the health minister, party seniors confirmed. "This department fuelled the maximum anger against the previous Trinamool administration, and we would prefer that this department goes to a doctor with a lot of credibility among peers," a state BJP senior explained.
Party seniors tipped Rashbehari BJP MLA Swapan Dasgupta for either the finance or commerce and industries portfolio, unless there are last-minute changes. Former journalist Jagannath Chattopadhyay is being considered for the higher education department, while Dipak Burman is reportedly leading the race to secure the school education portfolio.
Other Expected Appointments
BJP Noapara MLA Arjun Singh may get the transport department, and Siliguri MLA Sankar Ghosh is being spoken of as the next tourism minister. The allocation aims to leverage the expertise of experienced MLAs to address key governance areas.
