Suvendu Adhikari took the oath of office Saturday as the first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief minister of West Bengal [1].
The transition marks a historic shift in the state's political landscape, ending the long-term governance of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the region [3].
Governor R.N. Ravi administered the oath to Adhikari at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata [1]. The event drew a massive crowd and was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said he acknowledged the role of the public in the democratic process [1, 5].
Adhikari, the BJP legislature party leader, focused his initial remarks on the future of the state. "We will rebuild Bengal," Adhikari said after taking the oath [3].
Prime Minister Modi's presence at the ceremony signaled strong federal support for the new administration. The Prime Minister greeted the crowds with folded hands, a gesture of respect toward the Bengal public [5].
Despite the celebrations, the transition remains contested by the opposition. Abhishek Banerjee of the TMC challenged the legitimacy of the electoral results. "CCTV clips will reveal poll truth," Banerjee said [2].
The ceremony took place in 2026 [3], finalizing the government formation process following the state elections. The event served as both a formal installation of power and a public demonstration of the BJP's new mandate in West Bengal [1, 2].
“"We will rebuild Bengal," Suvendu Adhikari said after taking oath as CM”
The installation of a BJP government in West Bengal represents a significant realignment of power in eastern India. By securing the chief ministership, the BJP has dismantled a long-standing political stronghold of the TMC, potentially altering the electoral dynamics of the region for years to come. The tension between Adhikari's promise to rebuild and Banerjee's claims of electoral irregularities suggests a period of heightened political volatility during the transition.
