PM Modi, Rajnath Singh Reach Kolkata as Suvendu Adhikari Set to Take Oath as Bengal CM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kolkata on Friday ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, who is set to become West Bengal’s first BJP chief minister. The oath-taking ceremony will be held at the Brigade Parade Ground in the presence of several senior NDA leaders and chief ministers.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP national president JP Nadda and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were among the prominent leaders seen heading to the venue. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu also reached Kolkata ahead of the ceremony.

Adhikari, who was unanimously elected leader of the BJP Legislative Party in West Bengal, will formally assume office after the BJP secured a decisive mandate in the state assembly elections.

Senior BJP leaders described Adhikari’s elevation as a landmark moment for the party in Bengal and expressed confidence in his leadership. Union minister Sukanta Majumdar said the BJP government would work towards building a “Sonar Bangla” following the party’s electoral success.

“We are very happy. Under Suvendu Adhikari’s leadership, Bengal will move towards becoming ‘Sonar Bangla’. This victory belongs to every worker and supporter of the party,” Majumdar said.

BJP leader Agnimitra Paul called Adhikari a “deserving and capable” choice for the chief minister’s post and praised his political struggle over the past five years. She said BJP legislators now carried the responsibility of delivering rapid development across the state.

BJP MLA-elect Bankim Chandra Ghosh also welcomed the development, saying Bengal would witness “progress and transformation” under the new government. Party leaders projected the victory as a major organisational and ideological breakthrough for the BJP in a state where it had long remained on the political margins.