Suvendu Adhikari Sworn In as West Bengal's First BJP Chief Minister in Grand Ceremony at Kolkata Brigade

In a historic political transition for West Bengal, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in today as the state's ninth Chief Minister and the first from the saffron party. Governor R.N. Ravi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Adhikari at a grand ceremony held at the Brigade Parade Grounds in Kolkata, marking the end of Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee's 15-year rule.

The event, which coincided with the birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore as per the Bengali calendar, unfolded amid high security and enthusiastic crowds. Adhikari, who had been the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly since 2021, took the oath around 11:32 AM, followed by five other newly elected MLAs who were inducted into the initial council of ministers. This six-member cabinet reflects the BJP's emphasis on social and regional balance in the state.

The ministers who took the oath alongside Adhikari include:
Dilip Ghosh (from Kharagpur Sadar)
Agnimitra Paul (from Asansol Dakshin)
Ashok Kirtania (from Bangaon Uttar)
Kshudiram Tudu (from Ranibandh)
Nisith Pramanik (from Mathabhanga in Cooch Behar)

Portfolios for the new ministers are yet to be announced, with indications that a full expansion of the cabinet could follow later, as the state can have up to 33 ministers.

The swearing-in was attended by a constellation of national and regional leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew in by helicopter and was present at the venue, where he embraced the new Chief Minister post-oath and even took blessings from 98-year-old BJP worker, Makhanlal Sarkar. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who had presided over the BJP legislature party meeting the previous day when Adhikari was formally elected as its leader, also graced the occasion.

Other prominent attendees included several Chief Ministers from BJP and NDA-ruled states, such as Maharashtra CM Devender Fadnavis, Dy CM Eknath Shinde, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu amongst others. BJP MP and former national president J.P. Nadda was also present along with present day BJP National President Nitin Nabin amongst other top party functionaries, were also present. 

Adhikari's journey to the top post is nothing short of dramatic. Once a close aide to Mamata Banerjee and a key figure in the TMC's Nandigram movement that helped topple the Left Front regime in 2011, he defected to the BJP in 2020 after growing differences. He went on to serve as Leader of Opposition, relentlessly challenging the TMC government and playing a pivotal role in the party's campaign. In the recently concluded 2026 Assembly elections, the BJP secured a decisive victory with 207 seats in the 294-member house, ousting the TMC after its long stint in power. Adhikari himself notched impressive wins, including defeating Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur by over 15,000 votes and his home seat Nandigram by over 10,000 votes.

The ceremony concluded around 11:59 AM, with heavy security deployed across Kolkata, including at Adhikari's residence and Mamata Banerjee's Kalighat home. As West Bengal turns a new page under BJP leadership, all eyes are now on the governance priorities of the Adhikari government, from addressing political violence to economic development in the state.