Suvendu Adhikari took the oath of office and secrecy on Saturday, May 9, 2026, becoming the first BJP chief minister of West Bengal [1, 2].
This transition marks a historic political shift in the state. The victory ends 15 years of governance by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) [1], signaling a major realignment of power in one of India's most populous regions.
Adhikari was sworn in alongside five ministers [1]. The ceremony took place in the state capital of Kolkata, likely at the secretariat [2]. The new government assumes power following a decisive majority in the state assembly election, where the BJP won 207 seats [1].
In contrast, the Trinamool Congress secured 80 seats in the assembly [1]. The margin of victory provides the new administration with a significant mandate to implement its legislative agenda, a stark departure from the previous decade and a half of TMC leadership [1].
The swearing-in ceremony concludes a period of intense political campaigning. By securing such a wide majority, the BJP has established a firm foothold in a state that had long resisted the party's influence at the executive level [1, 2].
“Suvendu Adhikari became the first BJP chief minister of West Bengal.”
The ascent of a BJP government in West Bengal represents a collapse of the Trinamool Congress's long-term hegemony in the state. With a 207-seat majority, the Adhikari administration possesses the legislative strength to overhaul state policies without significant parliamentary obstruction, potentially accelerating the integration of state and federal priorities.
