Suvendu Adhikari Takes Oath as West Bengal's First BJP Chief Minister
Suvendu Adhikari has officially taken office as West Bengal's first Chief Minister from the BJP, a historic moment for the state. His oath-taking ceremony, held on Rabindra Jayanti, was attended by prominent leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Adhikari emphasized the importance of rebuilding Bengal and acknowledged the party's inspiration from Syama Prasad Mukherjee. The recent elections have resulted in a significant political shift, ending the long-standing rule of the TMC and bringing the BJP to power with a substantial majority. This article delves into the implications of this political change and the responsibilities ahead for the new Chief Minister.
| May 9, 2026, 14:47 IST
Suvendu Adhikari's Historic Oath-Taking Ceremony
Suvendu Adhikari officially became the first Chief Minister from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal on May 9. He announced that he would assume office after paying respects at the Jorasanko Thakurbari. Adhikari emphasized the significance of this day for both the state and the nation, noting that the oath-taking ceremony was held on the occasion of Rabindra Jayanti, as per the Prime Minister's wishes. Speaking to reporters, he remarked that this day holds great importance for both India and West Bengal. The Prime Minister desired the formation of a new government on Rabindra Jayanti, which is why the ceremony was conducted after paying homage to the revered Rabindranath Tagore under the Prime Minister's leadership. My duties will commence after I pay my respects at Jorasanko.
Adhikari further stated that the party, inspired by the ideals of Syama Prasad Mukherjee, does not require any validation. He expressed, 'I am now the Chief Minister, and I belong to everyone. Those who are still discussing the results should act with prudence... Bengal has suffered greatly. Education has declined, culture has been destroyed, and we will rebuild Bengal. We have a significant responsibility; let them speak, I will just keep moving forward.'
The oath-taking ceremony marked a pivotal political moment in West Bengal. Notable attendees included Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, JP Nadda, Dharmendra Pradhan, Chief Minister of Tripura Manik Saha, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami. On May 4, Adhikari secured victories in two of West Bengal's most talked-about electoral seats, Bhabanipur and Nandigram. The BJP won 207 seats in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, while the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) managed to secure 80 seats after ruling the state for 15 years.
In the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, a historic voter turnout of 91.66% was recorded, following a 93.19% turnout in the first phase, resulting in an overall turnout of 92.47%. These results indicate a dramatic political shift, ending Mamata Banerjee's long-standing dominance and ushering the BJP into power with a significant majority.