Suvendu Adhikari took the oath of office as the first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal on May 9, 2026 [1].
The transition marks a historic political shift in the state, replacing the long-standing administration of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Governor R.N. Ravi administered the oath to Adhikari during a ceremony held at the Lok Bhavan, the West Bengal Legislative Assembly in Kolkata [1], [2]. The event formalized the BJP's control over the state government after the party appointed Adhikari as its legislature party leader following their electoral victory [3], [4].
Alongside the new Chief Minister, five MLAs were sworn in as ministers to form the new cabinet [1]. The appointed ministers include Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Kshudiram Tudu, and Nisith Pramanik [1].
"We will rebuild Bengal," Adhikari said [2].
The change in power follows the resignation of the previous government. Mamata Banerjee, the former Chief Minister and leader of the TMC, called for a unified opposition response to the BJP's victory.
"All opposition parties should come together to form a joint platform to fight the BJP," Banerjee said [3].
Earlier in the week, Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a key meeting in Kolkata regarding the government formation [3]. Other reports indicated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was expected to attend the swearing-in proceedings [4].
Governor R.N. Ravi spoke during the ceremony as he finalized the transition of power. "I administer the oath to the new Chief Minister," Ravi said [1].
“"We will rebuild Bengal."”
The formation of a BJP government in West Bengal ends years of TMC dominance and represents a significant consolidation of power for the BJP in eastern India. By installing Suvendu Adhikari, a former TMC heavyweight, the party is leveraging local leadership to dismantle the previous administration's influence while attempting to implement its national policy agenda at the state level.
