Suvendu Adhikari took the oath of office as the first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief minister of West Bengal on May 9, 2026 [1].
The event marks a historic political shift in the state, breaking a long-standing hold by other political factions and establishing the BJP as the governing power in West Bengal.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Brigade Parade Grounds in Kolkata [2]. Thousands of party workers gathered across the city to witness the transition of power [3]. The atmosphere in the capital reflected the scale of the party's breakthrough in a region where it had previously struggled to secure the top executive office [3].
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Adhikari on his appointment and the party's landmark rise to power [3]. In a statement regarding the new leadership, Modi said, "I wish you a fruitful tenure" [4].
Other political leaders also acknowledged the transition. Nitish Kumar said he was confident that Adhikari's leadership would give new direction to the aspirations of the people, and accelerate development in the state [5].
Adhikari's ascent to the chief minister's office follows a period of intense political competition between the BJP and the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC). The appointment of the first BJP chief minister in the state's history is viewed by the party as a definitive victory that alters the electoral landscape of eastern India [2].
“"I wish you a fruitful tenure."”
The appointment of Suvendu Adhikari as chief minister signifies the BJP's successful penetration into West Bengal, a state traditionally resistant to the party's influence. By securing the chief ministership, the BJP has transitioned from an opposition force to the administrative authority, likely leading to a shift in regional policy and a realignment of power dynamics between the state government and the central government in New Delhi.
