Agencies | Kolkota:
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday took oath as the Chief Minister of West Bengal in a high-profile ceremony held at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground, marking a historic political shift in the state after the BJP’s decisive victory in the 2026 Assembly elections.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, senior BJP leaders, Union ministers and chief ministers from NDA-ruled states attended the swearing-in ceremony, which coincided with the birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
Alongside Adhikari, BJP leaders Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Nisith Pramanik and Kshudiram Tudu were sworn in as ministers in the new West Bengal government.
The BJP legislature party had unanimously elected Adhikari as its leader during a closed-door meeting of newly elected MLAs and senior party functionaries on Friday. Announcing the decision, Union Home Minister Amit Shah described the mandate as “historic” and said the new government would focus on development, governance and strengthening law and order in the state.
Soon after his election as legislature party leader, Adhikari met Governor R N Ravi at Lok Bhavan and formally staked claim to form the government. Senior BJP leaders, including Dilip Ghosh, Locket Chatterjee and Tapas Roy, accompanied him during the meeting.
Addressing party workers after taking oath, Adhikari thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president Nitin Nabin and Amit Shah for reposing faith in his leadership. He also expressed gratitude to BJP workers and voters across the state for delivering what he called a “transformational mandate.”
“The people of West Bengal have voted for change, development and transparent governance. We will work tirelessly to fulfil the aspirations of every citizen,” Adhikari said.
In the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, the BJP secured a commanding victory with 207 seats in the 294-member Assembly, while the Trinamool Congress (TMC) was reduced to 80 seats, bringing an end to its 15-year rule in the state.
Party leaders said the new administration would prioritise industrial growth, employment generation, infrastructure development and improved public service delivery as part of its governance agenda.
