Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched the feet of BJP veteran Makhanlal Sarkar during the swearing-in ceremony for West Bengal's first BJP government.
The event marks a historic shift in the political landscape of West Bengal, as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) establishes its first administration in the state.
The ceremony took place on May 8, 2024 [2], at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. During the proceedings, Modi sought blessings from Sarkar, who is 98 years old [1]. The gesture served as a tribute to the senior party figure during the inauguration of the new government.
Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal during the event [2]. The gathering at the Brigade Parade Ground brought together party leadership and supporters to witness the transition of power in the state.
Modi's interaction with Sarkar highlighted the role of party veterans in the BJP's expansion into the region. The Prime Minister used the moment to pay an emotional tribute to the long-standing nationalist leader [1].
This administrative change follows a period of intense political competition in the region. The establishment of a BJP-led government in West Bengal represents a significant milestone for the party's national strategy, extending its reach into a state long dominated by other political forces.
“Modi touched the feet of 98-year-old BJP veteran Makhanlal Sarkar.”
The installation of the first BJP government in West Bengal signifies a major breach of a long-standing political stronghold. By publicly honoring a 98-year-old veteran, Modi is bridging the party's ideological roots with its current electoral success, signaling a continuity of nationalist values as the party assumes executive power in the state.
