Suvendu Adhikari Sworn In as West Bengal Chief Minister

The Bharatiya Janata Party has formed its first government in West Bengal after securing a sweeping victory in the state assembly elections, marking a major political shift in one of India’s most politically influential states.

Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the new chief minister during a large public ceremony in Kolkata attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several senior BJP leaders.

The change in leadership ends the long rule of the Trinamool Congress, which had governed the state for 15 years after defeating the Left Front government. The election outcome triggered intense political reactions across West Bengal, with allegations, protests, and growing tension between rival political camps following the results.

Suvendu Adhikari Takes Oath as Chief Minister

The swearing-in ceremony was held at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata on Saturday, where Governor R. N. Ravi administered the oath of office to Suvendu Adhikari. He took the oath in Bengali in front of thousands of supporters and senior party figures.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other senior BJP leaders attended the event, highlighting the importance the party has placed on its first administration in West Bengal.

Several other BJP leaders also took oath as ministers alongside Adhikari, including Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Khudiram Tadu and Nisith Pramanik.

Before the ceremony, Adhikari described Modi’s arrival in Kolkata as a proud moment and said the event represented the fulfillment of a long-standing political vision shared by earlier generations within the party.

BJP Secures Strong Majority in Assembly Election

The BJP achieved a decisive victory in the West Bengal assembly election, winning 207 seats out of 293 declared results in the 294-member assembly. The result gave the party a clear two-thirds majority and opened the way for the formation of its first government in the state.

The Trinamool Congress managed to secure only 80 seats, suffering a major setback after remaining in power for over a decade. The result represented one of the most significant political changes in West Bengal in recent years.

Following the election results announced on May 4, political activity intensified across the state. The BJP leadership quickly began discussions over government formation, while the opposition questioned the credibility of the election process.

Political Tension After Election Results

The period after the election saw rising tensions between political groups. Former chief minister Mamata Banerjee rejected claims that her party had been defeated fairly and accused the election authorities of acting in favor of the BJP.

She also refused to resign immediately after the results, insisting during a press conference on May 5 that she had not truly lost the election. Her remarks drew strong criticism from BJP leaders, who described her position as unreasonable.

Abhishek Banerjee, a senior Trinamool Congress leader, demanded the release of CCTV footage from vote-counting centers, arguing that transparency was necessary after the disputed outcome.

The political conflict also spilled onto the streets in several areas of West Bengal. Reports emerged of attacks, vandalism and arson targeting party offices and homes of political workers following the results.

The BJP stated that law enforcement agencies should deal with any criminal activity and said no individual involved in wrongdoing would be protected by the party.

Delay in Government Formation

Despite winning a large majority, the BJP did not immediately form the government. Political disagreements and internal discussions reportedly slowed the process.

The situation became more complicated after Mamata Banerjee refused to step down. On May 7, Governor R. N. Ravi dissolved the assembly, clearing the path for the formation of a new administration.

A key meeting of BJP lawmakers was later held in Kolkata on May 8 in the presence of Amit Shah. During the meeting, Shah formally announced Suvendu Adhikari as the leader of the legislative party.

According to party leaders, Adhikari’s name was proposed and supported unanimously, making his selection uncontested within the party.

After the meeting, BJP representatives met the governor and officially submitted their claim to form the government in West Bengal.

Serious Incident Adds to Political Pressure

Political tension further increased after a serious incident involving one of Adhikari’s close associates. On the night of May 6, Chandranath Rath, who served as Adhikari’s personal assistant, was shot and killed.

The BJP described the incident as a planned attack and demanded strict action. The Trinamool Congress condemned the incident and called for an impartial investigation into the case.

Police have confirmed that an investigation is ongoing.

The incident added to an already tense political atmosphere in the state as parties traded accusations following the election outcome.

How Adhikari Emerged as BJP’s Leading Face

Suvendu Adhikari had long been viewed as the strongest candidate for the chief minister’s position after the BJP’s election victory. Before taking office, he served as the leader of the opposition in the state assembly.

He has built a strong political base in the East Midnapore region and became one of the BJP’s most influential leaders in West Bengal after joining the party ahead of the 2021 elections.

Adhikari was once considered a close associate of Mamata Banerjee during his time in the Trinamool Congress. However, his move to the BJP significantly changed the political balance in the state.

His political standing grew further after defeating Mamata Banerjee in the Bhabanipur constituency during the latest election.

Within sections of the BJP, some questions had reportedly been raised over his earlier ties with the Trinamool Congress and the fact that he did not come from a traditional RSS background. Despite those concerns, the party leadership ultimately chose him to lead the government in West Bengal.

A Historic Shift in West Bengal Politics

The formation of a BJP government in West Bengal marks a historic moment in the state’s political history. For years, the state had remained outside the BJP’s control even as the party expanded its influence across other parts of India.

The latest election result has now reshaped the political landscape of West Bengal and placed Suvendu Adhikari at the center of one of the country’s most closely watched political transitions.

With the new government officially sworn in, attention is now turning toward how the BJP administration will govern a politically sensitive state that has experienced weeks of political tension and uncertainty following the election.