NEW DELHI: Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday took oath as the first BJP chief minister of West Bengal, marking a historic breakthrough for the saffron party in the state. The swearing-in ceremony was held at Kolkata’s iconic Brigade Parade Ground in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several senior NDA leaders.Adhikari was unanimously elected leader of the BJP legislature party on Friday after a meeting of newly elected MLAs and party leaders. Union home minister Amit Shah formally announced his name for the post. Soon after his election, Adhikari met Governor R N Ravi at Raj Bhavan to stake claim to form the government.Thousands of BJP supporters gathered at the venue from early morning to witness the oath-taking ceremony.Prime Minister Modi arrived in Kolkata shortly before 10 am and later travelled to the venue amid loud chants of “Jay Shri Ram”. Accompanied by state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya and Adhikari, the Prime Minister waved to supporters from an open vehicle as he entered the ground.Several NDA leaders attended the event, including Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.The BJP secured a decisive victory in the 294-member Assembly, winning 207 seats and ending the Trinamool Congress’ 15-year rule in the state.Adhikari’s elevation marks a major political shift in Bengal. Once considered one of Mamata Banerjee’s closest aides and key organisational strategists, the 55-year-old leader’s move to the BJP dramatically altered the state’s political landscape over the past few years.West Bengal has now become the second state to get its first BJP chief minister in recent months, after Samrat Choudhary took oath as Bihar chief minister last month.The swearing-in ceremony also coincided with the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, celebrated across Bengal as Rabindra Jayanti or “Pochishe Boishakh”.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi High Court Protects Shashi Tharoor From AI Deepfakes Praising PakistanRahul Gandhi Says Only Congress Can Defeat BJP, Makes Explosive Claims Linking Modi To Epstein FilesChina Reveals On-Site Assistance To Pakistan During Conflict With India Last YearVijay Claims Support Of 118 MLAs, Likely To Take Oath As Tamil Nadu CM TomorrowTN Political Crisis Deepens: Stalin Pushes Governor For Swift ActionAir India AI 171 Crash Probe In Final Stage, Report Likely Within A MonthTwo States, Two Big Winners: Suvendu Gets Bengal, Vijay Eyes Tamil NaduShah Hails BJP’s Historic Bengal Victory, Credits People’s Faith In ModiBJP Names Suvendu Adhikari As West Bengal’s First BJP Chief MinisterViral MLA Preference List Shows KC Venugopal Claiming Majority Support As Kerala CM123PhotostoriesWhat’s it like to visit 10 most economically stable countries in the world right now? What’s India’s rankHow to know if someone is genuine: 5 common habits that sets them apart from those who are fakeHow to correctly store watermelons in summer to keep them fresh, juicy, and long-lastingHow to make South Indian Lauki Paniyaram for Saturday breakfastSundar Pichai: 5 career-saving office politics tips inspired by the Google CEO5 beauty habits that most rich women follow for that glowing skinArboreal: Snakes that always stay on trees and rarely descend7 animals and insects that eat their own poop (or someone else’s) – and what science says about itHow Each Zodiac Sign Expresses Love to Their Mother Without Saying ItHow Jason Fox keeps his body shredded at 49: The SAS star’s no-nonsense approach to upper body strength123Hot PicksSBI Q4 resultsThane- Navi Mumbai corridorMaharashtra SSC ResultPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingWWE Smackdown HighlightsWest Bengal Government FormationUS Iran warHPBOSE 10th Result 2026Mumbai Watermelon Death CaseDelhi Capital vs KKR IPL MatchWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaDaniil Medvedev WifeBan vs Pak
NEW DELHI: Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday took oath as the first BJP chief minister of West Bengal, marking a historic breakthrough for the saffron party in the state. The swearing-in ceremony was held at Kolkata’s iconic Brigade Parade Ground in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several senior NDA leaders.Adhikari was unanimously elected leader of the BJP legislature party on Friday after a meeting of newly elected MLAs and party leaders. Union home minister Amit Shah formally announced his name for the post. Soon after his election, Adhikari met Governor R N Ravi at Raj Bhavan to stake claim to form the government.Thousands of BJP supporters gathered at the venue from early morning to witness the oath-taking ceremony.Prime Minister Modi arrived in Kolkata shortly before 10 am and later travelled to the venue amid loud chants of “Jay Shri Ram”. Accompanied by state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya and Adhikari, the Prime Minister waved to supporters from an open vehicle as he entered the ground.Several NDA leaders attended the event, including Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.The BJP secured a decisive victory in the 294-member Assembly, winning 207 seats and ending the Trinamool Congress’ 15-year rule in the state.Adhikari’s elevation marks a major political shift in Bengal. Once considered one of Mamata Banerjee’s closest aides and key organisational strategists, the 55-year-old leader’s move to the BJP dramatically altered the state’s political landscape over the past few years.West Bengal has now become the second state to get its first BJP chief minister in recent months, after Samrat Choudhary took oath as Bihar chief minister last month.The swearing-in ceremony also coincided with the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, celebrated across Bengal as Rabindra Jayanti or “Pochishe Boishakh”.
