Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the first Chief Minister from the Bharatiya Janata Party in West Bengal, marking a historic political shift in the state’s electoral landscape.
The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Governor of West Bengal, R. N. Ravi at a grand ceremony held at the iconic Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. The event was attended by Narendra Modi, Union ministers, chief ministers from NDA-ruled states, senior BJP leaders, industrialists, and film personalities.
A Historic Political Milestone
- Adhikari’s swearing-in marks the first time the BJP has formed a government in West Bengal, ending the 15-year rule of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC).
- The BJP secured a decisive victory in the recently concluded Assembly elections by winning 207 seats in the 294-member Assembly, giving the party a clear majority and a major breakthrough in eastern India.
Ministers Also Sworn In
Soon after Adhikari’s swearing-in, senior BJP leader and former state BJP president Dilip Ghosh took oath as a cabinet minister.
Other BJP MLAs who were sworn in as ministers included:
- Agnimitra Paul
- Ashok Kirtania
- Nisith Pramanik
- Kshudiram Tudu
Adhikari’s Political Rise
- Suvendu Adhikari played a crucial role in expanding the BJP’s influence in West Bengal. In the Assembly elections, he defeated TMC chief Mamata Banerjee in the Bhabanipur seat while also retaining his stronghold in Nandigram.
- He was unanimously elected leader of the BJP legislature party in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
BJP’s “Sonar Bangla” Vision
- The BJP described the event as the beginning of a new era for West Bengal under a “double-engine government,” promoting its vision of “Sonar Bangla” focused on development, governance, and economic growth.
- The swearing-in ceremony symbolised a major transformation in Bengal politics, which had long resisted the BJP’s expansion in the state.