Suvendu Adhikari Sworn In as West Bengal Chief Minister After BJP's Historic Election Win

Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as Chief Minister of West Bengal on Sunday at the Brigade Parade Grounds in Kolkata, following the BJP's victory in the state assembly elections, where it won 207 of 294 seats. Governor RN Ravi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Adhikari and ten cabinet ministers, marking the end of the Trinamool Congress's 15-year rule in the state.

Among those sworn in were Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Kshudiram Tudu, and Nishith Pramanik, with the BJP emphasizing social representation in the initial cabinet formation, including members from OBC, tribal, Rajbonshi, and Kayastha communities. The ceremony coincided with the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended the event, underscoring the national significance of the BJP's breakthrough in West Bengal. Adhikari, a former TMC leader and close aide to Mamata Banerjee, had defected to the BJP in 2020.

The new government is expected to hold its first cabinet meeting within the week, where key administrative appointments and policy priorities are likely to be discussed.