A New Era In Bengal Politics Begins With Suvendu Adhikari’s Oath

West Bengal, May 9 : In a major political turning point for West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday took oath as the state’s first-ever Chief Minister from the Bharatiya Janata Party, following the party’s decisive victory in the 2026 Assembly elections.

The swearing-in ceremony was held at the historic Brigade Parade Grounds in Kolkata in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, senior BJP leaders, party workers and thousands of supporters who gathered to witness what many called a “new political chapter” for Bengal.

Governor R. N. Ravi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Adhikari and the newly inducted ministers.

The BJP secured a commanding majority by winning 207 seats in the 294-member Assembly, bringing an end to the 15-year rule of the All India Trinamool Congress led by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Adhikari’s rise to the top post has been one of the most dramatic journeys in Bengal politics. Once considered a close aide of Mamata Banerjee and a powerful face within the Trinamool Congress, he later switched to the BJP and emerged as one of the party’s strongest leaders in the state. His political influence grew significantly after high-profile battles in Nandigram and across southern Bengal.

Alongside Adhikari, senior BJP leaders including Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Kshudiram Tudu and Nisith Pramanik also took oath as ministers in the new cabinet.

The ceremony also coincided with the birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, adding cultural symbolism to the event. Large cultural displays showcasing Bengal’s heritage were featured at the venue ahead of the oath-taking ceremony.

The BJP’s victory in West Bengal is being viewed as one of the party’s biggest electoral breakthroughs in eastern India, with party leaders calling it a mandate for “development, governance and political change.”

With Suvendu Adhikari as the new CM, all eyes will be on how the BJP government navigates governance, administration and political challenges in a state known for its intense and deeply rooted political culture.