Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched the feet of senior BJP worker Makhanlal Sarkar during the West Bengal chief minister swearing-in ceremony on Saturday [1].

The event marks a significant political shift in the region, as Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the first BJP chief minister in the history of West Bengal [2].

During the ceremony, Modi sought blessings from Sarkar, who is 97 years old [1]. The gesture of touching the feet is a customary sign of respect in Indian culture, particularly toward elders, and mentors within a community or organization [1].

Sarkar is recognized as a senior figure within the Bharatiya Janata Party. His presence at the ceremony coincided with the party's milestone of securing the state's top executive office [2].

The transition of power in West Bengal represents a major victory for the BJP, which has sought to expand its influence in the eastern state for years. The swearing-in of Adhikari concludes a period of intense political competition and establishes a new administrative leadership for the state [2].

Modi attended the ceremony to witness the official start of the new government. The Prime Minister's interaction with Sarkar on the public stage highlighted the party's internal hierarchy and its respect for veteran workers who contributed to the party's growth [1].

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched the feet of senior BJP worker Makhanlal Sarkar”

The appointment of Suvendu Adhikari as the first BJP chief minister in West Bengal signals a fundamental shift in the state's political landscape, ending long-term opposition to the party's rule. By publicly honoring 97-year-old Makhanlal Sarkar, Prime Minister Modi is signaling that the party's current success is rooted in the efforts of its long-term veterans, bridging the gap between the party's foundational era and its current electoral dominance.