From the tribal heartland of Jangalmahal to the Bengal cabinet, Kshudiram Tudu has emerged as one of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s key Scheduled Tribe faces in West Bengal politics. The first-time MLA was sworn in as a minister on Friday as the BJP formed its maiden government in the state under chief minister Suvendu Adhikari.
Tudu took oath alongside senior BJP leaders Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania and Nisith Pramanik, marking a major political moment for the party in Bengal.
Who is Kshudiram Tudu?
The 55-year-old leader represents the Ranibandh (ST) Assembly constituency in Bankura district, a tribal-dominated region in western Bengal that has played an important role in recent elections. Tudu secured the seat with a margin of more than 52,000 votes, defeating the Trinamool Congress candidate in one of the BJP’s strongest performances in the Jangalmahal belt.
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His victory reflected the BJP’s growing support among tribal communities across Bankura, Purulia and Jhargram during the 2026 Assembly elections.
A grassroots tribal face
Unlike some of the BJP’s more visible Bengal leaders, Tudu has largely remained a grassroots political figure. His rise in state politics highlights the party’s increasing dependence on local tribal leadership in regions where it has steadily expanded its organisation over the past few years.
The BJP’s campaign in Jangalmahal focused heavily on tribal identity, welfare schemes and allegations of neglect under the previous Trinamool Congress government. Political observers see Tudu’s inclusion in the cabinet as part of the party’s broader effort to strengthen its tribal outreach in Bengal.
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Education, assets and profile
According to his election affidavit, Tudu is a graduate and has declared assets worth nearly ₹23 lakh. No criminal cases have been registered against him.
His appointment also adds tribal representation to Bengal’s first BJP cabinet at a time when the party is trying to consolidate its base in western parts of the state after its strong electoral showing in the region.
