Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the Chief Minister of West Bengal on Saturday [1].
The appointment marks the first time the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has held the state's highest executive office. This shift in power follows the state assembly elections, which allowed the BJP to form a new government in the region [1].
Governor R.N. Ravi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Adhikari [2]. The ceremony took place at the Brigade Parade Grounds in Kolkata [3]. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the event to witness the transition of power [2].
Adhikari, who previously served as the Leader of Opposition and the BJP legislature party leader, now leads the state administration. The event was attended by high-ranking officials and party members, signaling a consolidated front for the BJP in West Bengal [1].
Reports from the ceremony confirmed the presence of the Prime Minister and the Governor [2]. While some social media and broadcast headlines suggested security forces surrounded the home of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during the event, these claims were not verified by official reports [4].
The transition comes after a period of intense political competition in the state. The ceremony at the Brigade Parade Grounds serves as a symbolic venue for the new administration to establish its authority [3].
“Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the Chief Minister of West Bengal.”
The installation of Suvendu Adhikari as Chief Minister represents a historic political realignment in West Bengal. By securing the state government, the BJP has dismantled a long-standing political stronghold, potentially altering the electoral landscape of eastern India and strengthening the central government's influence in the region.
