From Prafulla Chandra Ghosh to Mamata Banerjee: Full list of West Bengal chief ministers over the years

The political history of West Bengal is marked by prominent political leaders who have shaped the state’s politics over time.

Updated on: May 4, 2026, 08:00:32 IST

By Payal Kumari

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India is a diverse country with a vast history, comprising various states that contribute differently to its cultural, economic, and political landscape. Among them, West Bengal has played an important role in shaping India’s past, particularly during the British Raj and the freedom movement.

List of all Chief Ministers of West Bengal (1947-2026)

West Bengal also has a strong political history shaped by several prominent leaders. Mamata Banerjee has held the post of chief minister for 15 years now, with her Trinamool Congress party having a strong hold in the state.

With voting for both phases of the West Bengal elections and results expected on May 4, a look at everyone who sat in the chief minister's seat since Independence:

Full list of chief ministers of West Bengal

Before the adoption of the Constitution of India in 1950, the head of a provincial government was known as a Premier rather than a Chief Minister. This terminology was used during the British Raj and continued even after India’s Independence until it became a republic on 26 January 1950.

Premiers of West Bengal

Prafulla Chandra Ghosh: 15 August 1947 to 22 January 1948
Bidhan Chandra Roy: 23 January 1948 to 25 January 1950

Chief Ministers of West Bengal

Bidhan Chandra Roy: 26 January 1950 to 1 July 1962
Prafulla Chandra Sen: 9 July 1962 to 28 February 1967
Ajoy Kumar Mukherjee: 1 March 1967 to 21 November 1967
Prafulla Chandra Ghosh: 21 November 1967 to 19 February 1968

President’s Rule: 20 February 1968 to 25 February 196

5. Ajoy Kumar Mukherjee: 25 February 1969 to 16 March 1970

President’s Rule: 19 March 1970 to 2 April 197

6. Ajoy Kumar Mukherjee: 2 April 1971 to 28 June 1971

President’s Rule: 29 June 1971 to 20 March 197

7. Siddhartha Shankar Ray: 20 March 1972 to 30 April 1977

President’s Rule: 30 April 1977 to 20 June 1977

8. Jyoti Basu: 21 June 1977 to 5 November 2000

9. Buddhadeb Bhattacharya: 6 November 2000 to 13 May 2011

10. Mamata Banerjee: Since May 20, 2011.

Also read: Nandigram to Bhabanipur, 5 key seats that will define West Bengal elections

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Payal Kumari
Payal is a budding journalist currently pursuing her passion for storytelling at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. She has always loved writing and reading, and over time, these interests grew into a strong desire to tell stories that people can connect with. This is what led her to choose journalism and content writing as a career. She has interned with Prabhat Khabar, where she worked with the social media team. During her internship, she created content for different platforms and learned how to write in a clear and engaging way for a wide audience. This experience helped her understand how digital content works and improved her writing skills. Payal is always looking to learn and grow as a writer. She is open to exploring different kinds of stories and wants to keep getting better with each piece she writes. Outside of her work and studies, she is an avid reader. She enjoys reading all kinds of books, especially fiction and fantasy, and loves getting lost in different worlds and characters. Reading has always been a big part of her life and continues to inspire her writing. She is excited to keep learning, writing, and discovering where her journey in journalism takes her.Read More

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