Kolkata, May 9: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nisith Pramanik on Saturday took oath as a cabinet minister in the newly formed West Bengal government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. His induction marks a significant moment in the BJP’s consolidation of power in the state, days after the party swept the assembly elections.

Born in Dinhata in Cooch Behar district, Pramanik began his political journey with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) before switching to the BJP in 2019. His move proved decisive, as he quickly rose to prominence in the party’s expansion strategy in North Bengal, a region marked by intense political rivalry and identity‑based politics.

Pramanik won the Cooch Behar Lok Sabha seat in 2019, strengthening his image as a key leader in the Rajbanshi belt. His grassroots connect and organizational skills earned him the reputation of a “Cooch Behar strongman,” as described by News Sources. He became a crucial pillar for the BJP in North Bengal, helping the party expand its base in a politically sensitive region.

In 2021, Pramanik was inducted into the Union Council of Ministers as Minister of State for Home Affairs and Youth Affairs & Sports, becoming one of the youngest ministers in the Narendra Modi government. He served until 2024, handling portfolios related to internal security and youth affairs while maintaining strong political activity in West Bengal.

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After stepping away from the Union government, Pramanik returned to state politics. In the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections, he contested and won from the Mathabhanga (SC) constituency in Cooch Behar district, marking a strong comeback as an MLA.

With the BJP forming its first government in West Bengal under Suvendu Adhikari, Pramanik’s inclusion in the cabinet underscores his importance in the party’s strategy for North Bengal. His rise from grassroots politics to the Union Cabinet and now to the state executive highlights his influence and adaptability across political platforms.

Pramanik’s induction is expected to strengthen the BJP’s hold in North Bengal and provide the new government with a leader who combines local clout with national experience.