Suvendu Adhikari (BJP) took the oath of office as the Chief Minister of West Bengal on Saturday, May 9, 2026 [1].
The transition marks a historic political shift in the state, as the Bharatiya Janata Party forms its first government in West Bengal. This victory ends the 15-year tenure of the Trinamool Congress [5].
The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata [2]. Adhikari assumed leadership after the BJP secured 207 seats in the assembly elections [2]. This decisive mandate allows the party to establish a firm grip on the state's administration.
Adhikari's personal victory in the Bhabanipur constituency served as a focal point of the campaign. He won that seat by a margin of over 15,000 votes over Mamata Banerjee [4].
Reports on the timing of the event varied. Some sources said the ceremony occurred on Saturday, May 9, 2026 [1], while other reports indicated he was named Chief Minister on Friday. Additionally, while some reports suggested the event coincided with the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore [3], other records note that Tagore's birthday is May 7, placing the ceremony two days after the anniversary [2].
The event was attended by senior party leadership to mark the start of the new administration. The BJP now holds a significant majority in the legislative assembly, providing the new government with a strong mandate to implement its policy agenda across the region [2].
“The BJP secured 207 seats in the West Bengal assembly elections”
The ascent of Suvendu Adhikari and the BJP in West Bengal represents a major realignment of power in eastern India. By dismantling a 15-year stronghold of the Trinamool Congress, the BJP has successfully expanded its footprint into a state previously resistant to its platform. The scale of the victory—securing 207 seats—suggests a mandate for significant policy shifts in governance and administration.
