Suvendu Adhikari took the oath as the first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief minister of West Bengal on Saturday [1].

This appointment marks a historic political shift in the state, as the BJP secures the chief minister's office for the first time. The transition represents a significant change in the regional power structure of West Bengal.

The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata [1], [2]. Adhikari delivered his oath in the Bengali language [1]. The event served as a massive show of strength, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and most of the Union Cabinet in attendance [1].

The path to the appointment began earlier this month. On May 8, 2024, Amit Shah announced Adhikari as the leader of the BJP legislature party in West Bengal [3]. This leadership selection paved the way for the official ceremony held on May 11, 2024 [1], [3].

Adhikari's rise to the position follows a complex political trajectory. He previously played a role in helping the Trinamool Congress (TMC) topple the Left Front before joining the BJP [1]. His appointment as chief minister concludes a period of intense political competition in the region.

"I announce Suvendu Adhikari as the leader of the BJP legislature party in West Bengal," Shah said [3].

“Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the BJP's first Chief Minister of Bengal”

The installation of a BJP chief minister in West Bengal breaks a long-standing political deadlock for the party in a state historically dominated by the Left and the TMC. By taking the oath in Bengali and holding a large-scale event at the Brigade Parade Ground, the BJP is signaling its intent to integrate more deeply into the local cultural identity while asserting its administrative control over the region.