Suvendu Adhikari, the chief minister-elect of West Bengal, urged a crowd in Kolkata to chant "Narendra Modi Zindabad" during a public address [1].

The event marks a significant transition of power in West Bengal. Adhikari, a former aide to Mamata Banerjee who later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is now positioned as the state's first BJP chief minister [2].

During the gathering, Adhikari asked the audience to stand and lead the chant in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi [1]. The gesture served to demonstrate loyalty to the national party leadership and rally supporters following the announcement of his new role [1].

Adhikari's rise to the chief ministership represents a shift in the political landscape of the region. His previous relationship with the former administration has made him a central figure in the state's current political friction — a dynamic that has defined his transition from an ally of the previous leadership to a primary opponent [2].

The atmosphere in Kolkata remained high as supporters echoed the slogans. The chant "Narendra Modi Zindabad" was used to frame the beginning of Adhikari's speech as a collective expression of party unity [1].

“"Narendra Modi Zindabad"”

The public alignment between the incoming chief minister and the Prime Minister signals a strategy to tie West Bengal's state governance closely to the BJP's national agenda. By prioritizing the Prime Minister's image during his first major appearance as CM-elect, Adhikari is consolidating his legitimacy within the party hierarchy while signaling a departure from the previous administration's style of governance.