Suvendu Adhikari (BJP) was sworn in as the chief minister of West Bengal on Saturday, May 9, 2026 [1].
The appointment marks a historic shift in the state's political landscape, as Adhikari becomes the first member of the Bharatiya Janata Party to lead the West Bengal government.
The ceremony took place at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata [1]. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the event to witness the formal installation of the new administration following the 2026 state elections [1].
According to party officials, the event served as more than a formal swearing-in. The BJP said the ceremony also marked the official launch of the "Sonar Bangla" development project [2]. This initiative is intended to drive economic and infrastructure growth across the region.
The gathering at the Brigade Parade Ground drew a massive crowd to witness the transition of power [2]. The event solidified the party's presence in a state that has long been a stronghold for opposing political factions.
Adhikari's ascension to the chief minister's office follows the results of the 2026 assembly elections, which allowed the BJP to secure the mandate necessary to form a government [1]. The transition is now complete with the official oath-taking on May 9, 2026 [1].
“Suvendu Adhikari becomes the first member of the Bharatiya Janata Party to lead the West Bengal government.”
The installation of the first BJP Chief Minister in West Bengal represents a significant breach of a long-standing political bastion. By coupling the oath-taking ceremony with the launch of the 'Sonar Bangla' project, the party is attempting to immediately pivot from electoral victory to a narrative of governance and economic modernization to consolidate its new authority.
