Suvendu Adhikari takes oath as BJP’s first Bengal CM in presence of PM Modi, and NDA CMs at historic Brigade ground

In a political transition of historic proportions, Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the 9th Chief Minister of West Bengal on Saturday, May 9, 2026. The high-profile ceremony took place at Kolkata’s iconic Brigade Parade Ground, marking the first time a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader has assumed the state's top office. Governor R.N. Ravi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Adhikari in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and several Chief Ministers from NDA-ruled states.

The venue, traditionally a site for massive political rallies, was transformed into a sea of saffron as thousands of party workers gathered to witness the end of Trinamool Congress’s 15-year rule. Adhikari’s elevation follows a decisive mandate in which the BJP secured 207 seats in the 294-member Assembly. The 57-year-old leader, often called a "giant killer," cemented his leadership by winning from both the Nandigram and Bhabanipur constituencies, notably defeating former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the latter by over 15,000 votes.

The choice of date, May 9, which marks the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore (Rabindra Jayanti), was seen as a deliberate cultural signal to the voters of Bengal. Following the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi congratulated the new Chief Minister, emphasizing a partnership for the state’s development. Adhikari, a former TMC heavyweight who switched to the BJP in 2020, has promised to prioritize restoring law and order while focusing on industrialization and youth employment.