Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the ceremony in Kolkata where Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the first BJP chief minister of West Bengal [1].
The event marks a significant political shift in the state, as the Bharatiya Janata Party has never previously held the chief ministerial position in West Bengal [1].
During the proceedings in May 2026 [1], Modi performed a Sashtang pranam, a traditional gesture of prostration, and greeted supporters gathered for the occasion [1]. The ceremony served as the formal installation of Adhikari into the state's highest executive office [2].
Supporters gathered in the capital to witness the transition of power. The presence of the prime minister at the event highlighted the central government's focus on the region's new leadership [2].
Adhikari's appointment represents a milestone for the BJP, which has sought to expand its influence in the eastern state for several years [1]. The transition follows a period of intense political competition in the region [1].
Modi's participation in the ritualistic pranam was noted as a central moment of the celebration [2]. The event concluded with the formal assumption of duties by the new chief minister [1].
“Suvendu Adhikari as the first BJP chief minister of West Bengal”
The installation of a BJP chief minister in West Bengal breaks a long-standing political barrier for the party in a state historically dominated by other political forces. This shift suggests a realignment of power in eastern India and provides the party with a direct administrative foothold in a region that has previously resisted its governance at the state level.
