Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the first BJP chief minister of West Bengal on Saturday at the Brigade Parade Grounds in Kolkata [1].
The event marks a historic political shift in the state, as the BJP assumes power for the first time. This transition follows the party's electoral victory and the resignation of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress government [2].
Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended the ceremony alongside senior leaders of the National Democratic Alliance, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu [3]. The ceremony took place at the Brigade Parade Grounds, a venue often used for large-scale political gatherings in the city [4].
Adhikari, who was elected as the BJP legislature party leader, took the oath of office to officially assume the chief minister's role [2]. Five ministers took the oath alongside him to form the new state cabinet [5].
Reports on the attendance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi varied among sources, with some reporting his presence and others citing only the attendance of Home Minister Amit Shah and NDA leaders [6].
The new administration takes over amidst a period of transition for the state's governance. The BJP's victory ends the long-standing tenure of the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal [2].
“Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the first BJP chief minister of West Bengal”
The formation of the first BJP government in West Bengal represents a significant realignment of power in eastern India. By displacing the Trinamool Congress, the BJP has expanded its governance footprint into a state that has historically resisted the party's influence, potentially altering the regional political landscape and the nature of center-state relations in the area.
