Suvendu Adhikari took the oath of office as the first BJP chief minister of West Bengal on Saturday, May 9, 2026 [2].
The ceremony represents a historic political shift in the region, ending 15 years of rule by Mamata Banerjee and the All India Trinamool Congress.
The event took place at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata [1]. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the proceedings to witness the inauguration of the first BJP-led government in the state's history [1]. According to reports, more than 100,000 people gathered at the grounds to attend the ceremony [5].
Adhikari was sworn in alongside five ministers [3]. His ascent to the chief minister's office follows a victory margin of more than 15,000 votes over his opponent [4]. The transition follows the West Bengal assembly election of 2026 [2].
While the BJP celebrated the victory with a massive public gathering, former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee skipped the ceremony [1]. The event serves as the formal commencement of the new administration's mandate to govern the state.
Security was tight at the Brigade Parade Ground as the new leadership assumed power. The presence of the Prime Minister underscores the strategic importance the BJP places on its first successful capture of the West Bengal state government.
“Suvendu Adhikari took the oath of office as the first BJP chief minister of West Bengal.”
The establishment of a BJP government in West Bengal breaks a long-standing stronghold of the Trinamool Congress. By securing the state, the BJP has successfully expanded its footprint in eastern India, potentially altering the regional political balance and streamlining the coordination between the central government and the state administration.
