Suvendu Adhikari took the oath of office as West Bengal's first BJP chief minister on May 9, 2026 [1].
The event marks a historic transition of power in the state, ending a long period of non-BJP governance in West Bengal. The shift represents a significant political realignment in one of India's most populous and culturally influential regions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the ceremony at the Brigade Parade Grounds in Kolkata [1], [2]. Before the swearing-in, Modi paid tribute to the poet Rabindranath Tagore [2]. The tribute coincided with the celebration of Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali New Year [2], [3].
Thousands of BJP supporters gathered at the iconic parade grounds to witness the event [4]. The gathering reflected the scale of the party's victory and the public anticipation surrounding the new administration [4].
Adhikari's appointment as the first chief minister from the BJP in the state's history was the focal point of the day [1], [3]. The ceremony served as both a political milestone and a cultural observance, blending the administrative transition with traditional Bengali festivities [2], [3].
Modi's presence at the event highlighted the central government's support for the new state leadership. The Prime Minister's decision to honor Tagore beforehand served to anchor the party's political victory within the cultural heritage of West Bengal [2].
“Suvendu Adhikari took oath as West Bengal's first BJP chief minister at the iconic Brigade Parade Grounds.”
The installation of Suvendu Adhikari as chief minister signals the BJP's successful penetration into a state long dominated by left-wing and regionalist politics. By aligning the ceremony with the Bengali New Year and paying tribute to Rabindranath Tagore, the party is attempting to synthesize its national political agenda with local cultural identity to ensure long-term legitimacy in the region.
