In a landmark shift in the political landscape of Eastern India, Suvendu Adhikari, leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was officially sworn in as the Chief Minister of West Bengal on Saturday. The ceremony, held at the historic Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, marks the first time the BJP has formed a government in the state, ending the long-standing tenure of the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
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The Swearing-In Ceremony
The proceedings commenced shortly after 11:30 am local time, with Governor R.N. Ravi administering the oath of office and secrecy to Mr Adhikari. Following the Chief Minister’s induction, five additional cabinet ministers were sworn in to the new administration. The ministers include prominent BJP figures and regional representatives, reflecting a diverse coalition of the state’s legislative assembly.
While the Chief Minister and four of his colleagues took their oaths in Bengali, Khudiram Tudu notably delivered his oath in Santali, representing the state’s tribal heritage. As of the ceremony’s conclusion, the specific portfolios and departmental assignments for these five ministers have yet to be officially announced.
Profile of the New Cabinet Members
The new administration comprises seasoned politicians and representatives from across various districts. The table below outlines the newly appointed ministers and their respective constituencies:
| Name | Designation | Constituency |
| Suvendu Adhikari | Chief Minister | Bhawanipore & Nandigram |
| Dilip Ghosh | Cabinet Minister | Kharagpur Sadar |
| Agnimitra Paul | Cabinet Minister | Asansol South |
| Ashok Kirtania | Cabinet Minister | Bongaon North |
| Nisith Pramanik | Cabinet Minister | Mathabhanga (Cooch Behar) |
| Khudiram Tudu | Cabinet Minister | Ranibandh (Bankura) |
High-Profile Attendance
The event drew a vast assembly of the nation’s political elite. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in attendance, joined by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President Nitin Nabin. Other high-ranking Union Ministers present included Rajnath Singh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and J.P. Nadda.
The ceremony also saw a significant gathering of regional leaders, including Chief Ministers from various Indian states:
Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh)
Himanta Biswa Sarma (Assam)
Manik Saha (Tripura)
Pushkar Singh Dhami (Uttarakhand)
Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh)
Additional dignitaries included former Union Minister Smriti Irani, BJP State President Shamik Bhattacharya, and veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty.
Cultural and Historical Significance
The swearing-in coincided with Rabindra Jayanti, the birth anniversary of the Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. In a tribute to the poet, Prime Minister Modi offered floral respects to Tagore’s portrait upon arriving on stage. The atmosphere at the Brigade Parade Ground was heavily influenced by Bengali culture, featuring Rabindra Sangeet, traditional Chhau and Raibenshe folk dances, and indigenous tribal performances.
The culinary offerings also reflected regional traditions, with guests being served local delicacies such as Rosogolla, Laddu, and Mishti Doi, alongside the popular street snack, Jhalmuri.
Political Transition
This inauguration follows a decisive general election in which the BJP defeated the incumbent Trinamool Congress. Suvendu Adhikari, formerly a senior leader within the TMC and a close associate of outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, now succeeds her as the head of the state government, representing the BJP parliamentary party.