The newly formed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal, headed by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, is preparing to take several major and politically significant decisions during its first Cabinet meeting, indicating an assertive beginning to its administration following the party’s landmark win in the 2026 Assembly elections.
Party insiders and senior leaders familiar with the ongoing discussions said the inaugural Cabinet meeting is expected to prioritise welfare initiatives, administrative reforms, law-and-order measures, and investigations into alleged corruption and post-poll violence linked to the previous regime.
Among the most important decisions likely to be approved is the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme in the state, which had not been introduced by the earlier government. BJP leaders have consistently alleged that the former administration prevented the rollout of the Centre’s flagship healthcare programme due to political considerations.
Launched in 2018, the Ayushman Bharat scheme is expected to benefit more than 1.24 crore underprivileged families across West Bengal. In addition, around 15.9 lakh elderly citizens above the age of 70 are likely to receive coverage under the programme. According to National Health Authority data, nearly 3 lakh ASHA and Anganwadi workers in the state will also be included, making it one of the largest social welfare initiatives expected from the new administration.
The issue of Dearness Allowance (DA) for state government employees is also expected to feature prominently in the discussions. The BJP had earlier assured employees that it would address the long-standing DA dispute after coming to power. Currently, Central Government employees receive 60 percent DA, whereas employees of the West Bengal government receive only 18 percent, a gap that has triggered repeated protests and dissatisfaction among state workers. However, officials point out that clearing pending DA dues could place an additional financial burden of nearly Rs.20,000 crore annually on the state treasury.
On the law-and-order front, the new government is likely to announce the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate incidents of post-election violence and other alleged criminal activities reported after the declaration of Assembly poll results. BJP leaders have frequently accused the previous administration of failing to ensure the safety of political workers and maintain public order.
Sources within the party also indicated that the government may begin a process to identify illegal immigrants allegedly living in the state and initiate legal procedures for the deportation of undocumented Bangladeshi nationals in coordination with central agencies. The issue has remained a major political plank for the BJP in West Bengal over the years.
Simultaneously, the government is expected to intensify its anti-corruption campaign against leaders and former legislators associated with the outgoing administration led by Mamata Banerjee. A senior BJP leader told the publication that another SIT may be constituted to investigate allegations of corruption involving former TMC ministers, MLAs, and bureaucrats.
“The party is determined to ensure that those involved in corruption are held accountable,” the source stated, adding that cases linked to recruitment scams, financial irregularities, and misuse of government funds could be reopened for investigation.
In addition to these measures, the BJP government is expected to carry out a large-scale administrative and bureaucratic reshuffle to bring the state machinery in line with the priorities of the new leadership. Political analysts believe the first Cabinet meeting will act as a strong statement of intent from the BJP government and could define the direction of governance in West Bengal in the coming years.
