Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the first BJP chief minister of West Bengal on May 9, 2024 [1].
The ceremony marks a historic shift in regional power, ending the tenure of the Trinamool Congress and establishing the BJP's first-ever leadership of the state [2].
The installation took place at Raj Bhavan, the governor's residence in Kolkata [1]. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the event to witness the transition following the BJP's victory in the 2024 West Bengal assembly election [1].
Adhikari's appointment as the first BJP chief minister in the state's history [2] represents a significant political realignment. The swearing-in coincided with Rabindra Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore [3]. Adhikari began his tenure by paying tribute to the poet.
Sheikh Hasina said the new leadership was "strong, people‑oriented leadership" [4]. The event served as the formal conclusion to the electoral transition, moving the administration from the Trinamool Congress to the BJP [1].
Throughout the ceremony, the presence of the Prime Minister underscored the national importance of the victory. The transition at Raj Bhavan establishes a new administrative era for the state, coinciding with the cultural significance of the Tagore anniversary [3].
“Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the first BJP chief minister of West Bengal.”
The appointment of Suvendu Adhikari signifies the BJP's successful penetration into a stronghold previously dominated by the Trinamool Congress. By aligning the transition with Rabindra Jayanti, the new administration is attempting to blend its political identity with West Bengal's deep cultural and intellectual heritage to gain broader legitimacy.
