Suvendu Adhikari Sworn in as West Bengal Chief Minister: Historic BJP Victory Ends TMC Rule | First BJP CM of Bengal
Suvendu Adhikari Sworn in as West Bengal’s First BJP Chief Minister in Historic Ceremony at Brigade Parade Ground
Kolkata, May 9, 2026: In a landmark moment that reshapes the political landscape of West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the state’s first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief Minister on Saturday. The grand ceremony held at the iconic Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata marked the culmination of years of political struggle and delivered a decisive end to over a decade of Trinamool Congress (TMC) rule under Mamata Banerjee. Governor RN Ravi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Suvendu Adhikari, ushering in what many are calling the dawn of “Sonar Bangla” – a new era of peace, prosperity, and development under a “double-engine” BJP government backed by the NDA.
The event, attended by thousands of enthusiastic BJP workers, supporters, and national leaders, symbolizes a profound shift in West Bengal politics. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP National President Nitin Nabin, several Union Ministers, and Chief Ministers from NDA-ruled states graced the occasion, turning it into a massive political confluence.
A Historic Day for West Bengal: Details of the Swearing-in Ceremony
The Brigade Parade Ground, historically significant for large public gatherings, witnessed unprecedented jubilation as Suvendu Adhikari took the oath. Dressed in traditional attire, the new Chief Minister exuded confidence as he pledged to serve the people of Bengal. Following him, senior BJP leaders including Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Kshudiram Tudu, and Nisith Pramanik were sworn in as Ministers.
PM Narendra Modi congratulated Suvendu Adhikari on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “Congratulations to Shri Suvendu Adhikari Ji on taking oath as West Bengal’s Chief Minister. He has made a mark as a leader who has remained deeply connected to the people and understood their aspirations from close quarters. My best wishes to him for a fruitful tenure ahead.”
The Prime Minister also extended wishes to the newly inducted ministers, noting their grassroots contributions and expressing confidence that they would strengthen West Bengal’s development journey.
Suvendu Adhikari described the occasion as the fulfilment of the dreams of India’s founding fathers. In his statement, he said: “A historic dawn for West Bengal indeed… Today marks the end of decades of misrule and the beginning of a double-engine era of development, peace, and prosperity. The era of ‘Sonar Bangla’ officially begins.”
The atmosphere at Brigade Parade Ground was electric. Party workers chanted “Jai Shri Ram” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” while cultural performances, Rabindra Sangeet, folk dances, and traditional Bengali sweets added a festive touch. Supporters travelled from distant districts via buses, trains, and metro, with some even arriving from abroad, including Canada, to witness this pivotal moment.
Background: How Suvendu Adhikari Rose as the Unanimous Choice
Suvendu Adhikari‘s journey to the Chief Minister’s post is nothing short of remarkable. A prominent leader from East Midnapore, he first gained the “giant-killer” tag in the 2021 Assembly elections by defeating Mamata Banerjee from the Nandigram constituency. In the 2026 elections, he repeated the feat by defeating the TMC supremo from Bhabanipur in South Kolkata by a margin of over 15,000 votes. Notably, Suvendu Adhikari won both Nandigram and Bhabanipur seats simultaneously, consolidating his position as the undisputed leader of the BJP legislature party.
On Friday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah presided over the BJP legislature party meeting at Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in Newtown. Shah announced that Suvendu Adhikari was unanimously elected as the leader after receiving all proposals in his favour, with no second name proposed.
“The process of selecting the leader… has been completed. A total of eight proposals were received. In all the proposals, there was just one name… So, I proposed the name of Suvendu Adhikari as the next Chief Minister of West Bengal,” Shah declared.
This unanimous decision reflected the confidence of newly-elected BJP MLAs in Suvendu Adhikari‘s ability to lead. The BJP secured a sweeping victory in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, winning 207 seats and ending TMC’s long-standing dominance.
Significance of BJP’s Victory in West Bengal
The ascension of Suvendu Adhikari as Chief Minister represents the first BJP government in West Bengal since India’s Independence. For decades, the state witnessed political turbulence, alleged misrule, violence, and economic challenges under Left Front and later TMC regimes. Analysts view this transition as a rejection of “decades of misrule” and a vote for change, development, and good governance.
The “double-engine” administration – with strong central support from the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre – is expected to accelerate infrastructure projects, industrial investment, employment generation, and welfare schemes tailored for Bengal. Promises of “Sonar Bangla” (Golden Bengal) echo the aspirations of restoring the state’s past glory as an economic and cultural powerhouse.
Key highlights from the new government’s early signals include:
- Focus on grassroots leadership with ministers having strong local connections.
- Representation from various communities, including Matua voters and tribal leaders like Kshudiram Tudu.
- No immediate portfolio allocation; departments will be decided after the first Cabinet meeting at Nabanna.
Profile of Suvendu Adhikari: The People’s Leader
Suvendu Adhikari, often described as a “son of the soil,” hails from Medinipur. His deep understanding of Bengali culture, education in the Bengali medium, and unwavering commitment to local issues made him the ideal choice, fulfilling pre-poll assurances by PM Modi and Amit Shah for a local leader as CM.
His political career includes significant roles in various capacities, where he built strong networks at the booth level. Defeating high-profile opponents twice has cemented his reputation as a formidable leader who connects with the masses on issues like development, law and order, and cultural pride.
Star-Studded Attendance and National Support
The swearing-in ceremony saw a galaxy of national leaders. Apart from PM Modi and Amit Shah, attendees included Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Smriti Irani, Mithun Chakraborty, and Chief Ministers from 21 NDA-ruled states such as Himanta Biswa Sarma (Assam), Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh), Devendra Fadnavis (Maharashtra), and Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh).
This strong show of support underscores the national importance of BJP’s success in West Bengal and signals unified NDA backing for the new government.
Cultural and Emotional Moments
One touching moment was PM Modi receiving blessings from 98-year-old Makhanlal Sarkar, a veteran associate of Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Sarkar was arrested alongside Mookerjee during the 1952 Kashmir tricolour movement.
The ceremony concluded with PM Modi and Suvendu Adhikari paying floral tributes to Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, symbolizing respect for Bengal’s rich cultural heritage while embracing a new political chapter.
What Lies Ahead for West Bengal Under Suvendu Adhikari
As Suvendu Adhikari assumes charge, expectations are sky-high. Key priorities likely include:
- Restoring law and order and ending political violence.
- Boosting industrial growth through ease of doing business.
- Empowering farmers, youth, and women with targeted schemes.
- Infrastructure development – roads, ports, airports, and smart cities.
- Preserving and promoting Bengali language, culture, and identity while integrating with national mainstream.
Political observers believe the “double-engine” model, proven successful in states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and others, will deliver tangible results in Bengal. The inclusion of experienced leaders like Dilip Ghosh and Nisith Pramanik in the ministry adds administrative depth.
The defeat of Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur by Suvendu Adhikari is particularly symbolic, representing the rejection of dynastic and alleged authoritarian politics in favour of a fresh, people-centric approach.
Reactions Pour In
Leaders across the NDA have hailed the development. Supporters on the ground express optimism about jobs, safety, and prosperity. Even neutral analysts acknowledge that BJP’s organizational strength and strategic campaign played a crucial role in this historic win.
Conclusion: A New Chapter in Bengal’s History
The swearing-in of Suvendu Adhikari as West Bengal Chief Minister is more than a political event – it is a transformative moment for the state. From the Brigade Parade Ground echoes the voice of change that resonated across Bengal in the 2026 elections.
As the new government settles in Nabanna, all eyes will be on how Suvendu Adhikari translates the mandate into action. For millions of Bengalis, this is the beginning of “Sonar Bangla” – a prosperous, peaceful, and proud Bengal.
The coming days and weeks will reveal the full Cabinet and policy priorities. For now, the people of West Bengal celebrate a new dawn under their first BJP Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari.
