Suvendu Adhikari took the oath of office on Saturday as the first chief minister from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal [1].
The event marks a historic political shift in the state, as the BJP secures the top executive position for the first time. This transition alters the long-standing political landscape of West Bengal, which has been dominated by other parties for decades.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the ceremony to oversee the transition of power. During the event, Modi touched the feet of Makhanlal Sarkar, a senior BJP activist, to seek his blessings and express gratitude [1]. Sarkar, who is 98 years old [2], is regarded as a veteran figure within the party's organizational structure.
The gesture toward Sarkar occurred ahead of the formal oath-taking process for Adhikari [2]. By honoring the eldest member of the party, the Prime Minister highlighted a connection between the party's foundational roots, and its current electoral success in the region.
Adhikari's appointment as chief minister follows the party's efforts to expand its influence across the eastern state [1]. The ceremony served as both a legal inauguration of the new government, and a symbolic gathering of party leadership.
Modi thanked Sarkar for his lifelong dedication to the organization during the interaction [1]. The presence of the Prime Minister underscored the national importance the BJP places on its governance in West Bengal, a state that has historically resisted the party's platform.
“Suvendu Adhikari took the oath of office as the first chief minister from the BJP in West Bengal.”
The appointment of Suvendu Adhikari represents the first time the BJP has held the chief minister's office in West Bengal. This break in historical patterns suggests a significant realignment of voter loyalty in the state. Furthermore, the public honoring of 98-year-old Makhanlal Sarkar by the Prime Minister serves to legitimize the new administration by linking it to the party's long-term ideological veterans.
