Suvendu Adhikari (BJP) took the oath of office as the first BJP chief minister of West Bengal on May 9, 2026 [2].
The event marks a historic political shift in the state, as the BJP secured a majority in the 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election [1, 5]. This victory ended years of dominance by the Trinamool Congress and established a new governing framework in the region.
The swearing-in ceremony occurred at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata [4, 5]. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the event alongside other senior party leaders to witness the transition of power. During the proceedings, five MLAs were also sworn in as ministers [1, 2].
Adhikari addressed the crowd during the ceremony and focused on the future of the state. "We will rebuild Bengal," Adhikari said [3].
Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of the electoral victory and the will of the people. "I bow to West Bengal’s Jana Shakti," Modi said [4].
Despite the BJP's victory, the former administration expressed a need for continued political resistance. Mamata Banerjee (TMC) commented on the new government's formation. "The opposition must unite against the BJP," Banerjee said [6].
The appointment of Adhikari as chief minister is the first time the BJP has held the top executive position in West Bengal since Independence [5]. The ceremony serves as the formal commencement of the BJP's mandate to govern the state.
“"We will rebuild Bengal."”
The installation of a BJP government in West Bengal represents a significant realignment of power in eastern India. By breaking the long-standing hold of the Trinamool Congress, the BJP has expanded its administrative reach into a state known for intense political volatility, potentially altering the national political landscape and the strategic implementation of central government policies in the region.
