The BJP has officially chosen first-time MLA Rathindranath Basu as its candidate for the Speaker’s post in the newly formed West Bengal Assembly, signalling a major political and symbolic shift in the state’s legislative leadership. With the ruling party holding a commanding majority in the Assembly, Basu’s election as Speaker on Friday is widely seen as almost certain.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the decision through a social media post, confirming that the BJP legislative party had nominated the Cooch Behar Dakshin MLA for the prestigious constitutional position in the 18th West Bengal Legislative Assembly.
Expressing confidence in Basu’s selection, the Chief Minister stated that he firmly believed the BJP nominee would be elected unanimously as the next Speaker of the Assembly.
Soon after filing his nomination papers in the presence of the Chief Minister and several BJP legislators, Rathindranath Basu reacted cautiously to his new responsibility. Speaking to reporters, he said he would carry out the duty assigned by the party sincerely and would seek guidance from experienced Assembly members whenever necessary.
Basu, a Chartered Accountant by profession, is entering the Assembly for the first time after winning the 2026 Bengal Assembly election from the Cooch Behar Dakshin constituency. He defeated Trinamool Congress candidate Abhijit De Bhowmik by a margin of more than 23,000 votes.
Before joining active politics, Basu had reportedly been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for many years. His elevation to the Speaker’s post is being viewed by political observers as a reflection of the BJP’s growing organisational confidence after its sweeping electoral victory in the state.
The Speaker election is scheduled to take place on Friday inside the Assembly. It remains unclear whether opposition parties will participate actively in the contest or field a candidate against the BJP nominee. However, given the BJP’s overwhelming numbers in the House, the outcome is expected to be a formality.
The selection of Rathindranath Basu is also drawing attention because it breaks a long-standing political convention in Bengal. Traditionally, political parties have often preferred senior lawyers or legal experts for the Speaker’s chair due to the constitutional and procedural complexities involved in running the Assembly.
Under previous governments, notable figures like Biman Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress, as well as Left-era Speakers Syed Abdul Mansur Habibullah and Hashim Abdul Halim, held the post with extensive legislative experience.
Basu’s professional background as a Chartered Accountant rather than a legal expert marks a departure from that unwritten tradition, making his expected appointment politically significant.
As Bengal’s political landscape undergoes rapid transformation following the Assembly election results, the choice of Speaker is being seen not merely as an administrative appointment but also as a reflection of the BJP’s new power structure within the state.
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