West Bengal entered a new political chapter on Saturday as Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the state’s first BJP Chief Minister since Independence. The swearing-in ceremony was held at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, NDA chief ministers, industrialists and religious leaders.
Addressing supporters after taking the oath, Adhikari said, “We will rebuild Bengal,” while describing the new government as the beginning of a “Sonar Bangla” vision for the state.
Senior BJP leaders Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul and Ashok Kirtania are among those inducted into the new council of ministers.
The BJP secured a decisive victory in the Assembly elections by winning 207 seats in the 294-member West Bengal Assembly, bringing an end to 15 years of Trinamool Congress rule led by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Earlier, Suvendu Adhikari was formally elected as the BJP legislature party leader during a meeting chaired by Amit Shah. The Union Home Minister stated that all BJP MLAs unanimously supported Adhikari’s name for the top post. Following his election, Adhikari met the Governor and formally staked claim to form the government.
Adhikari’s rise in West Bengal politics has been marked by high-profile electoral victories against Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram and Bhabanipur, including a symbolic win in her traditional political stronghold. Once considered a key strategist within the Trinamool Congress, he joined the BJP in 2020 and rapidly emerged as the party’s most influential leader in Bengal.
Political observers view his organisational network, strong grassroots connect and aggressive campaign strategy as major factors behind the BJP’s historic victory in the state.
The new government is expected to focus on governance reforms, infrastructure development, industrial investment and strengthening law and order as part of its broader vision for West Bengal’s future.