Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched the feet of veteran BJP worker Makhan Lal Sarkar during a swearing-in ceremony in Kolkata this month [1].

The gesture occurred as Suvendu Adhikari took the oath of office to become the first BJP chief minister of West Bengal since Independence [2]. This event marks a historic shift in the political landscape of the eastern state, signaling the party's first successful bid for the top executive post.

During the proceedings in May 2026 [1], Modi approached Sarkar to seek his blessings. Sarkar is a long-standing member of the party and is 98 years old [2]. The act of touching the feet of an elder is a traditional sign of respect in Indian culture, intended to honor seniority, and lifelong service.

The ceremony served as a high-profile gathering for the BJP leadership. By publicly honoring Sarkar, the Prime Minister highlighted the party's connection to its veteran grassroots workers while celebrating a major electoral victory in West Bengal [1].

Adhikari's transition to chief minister follows a period of intense political competition in the region [2]. The presence of both the party's highest leadership and its oldest workers at the event underscored a narrative of continuity and growth for the BJP's influence in the state [1].

Observers noted the symbolic nature of the interaction between the Prime Minister and the 98-year-old worker [2]. The event concluded with the formal induction of the new administration in the state capital [1].

“PM Modi touched the feet of veteran BJP worker Makhan Lal Sarkar.”

The appointment of Suvendu Adhikari as the first BJP chief minister of West Bengal represents a fundamental shift in the state's power structure. By pairing this political milestone with a public display of reverence for Makhan Lal Sarkar, the party is attempting to balance its new administrative power with an image of humility and respect for its ideological roots.