Suvendu Adhikari to Take Oath as Bengal Chief Minister

Suvendu Adhikari, 55, will take oath as the Chief Minister of Bengal today, after meeting Governor R N Ravi to stake his claim to form the government. Adhikari was elected as the legislature party leader shortly before meeting the Governor, who invited him to take the oath of office at the Brigade Parade Ground.

Adhikari, a former close aide to Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, will become the first chief minister from the districts in 55 years.

The BJP won 207 seats in the recent elections to the 294-member West Bengal Assembly, while the Trinamool Congress secured 80 seats.

Governor RN Ravi dissolved the Bengal Assembly after completion of its term, days after Mamata Banerjee alleged large-scale irregularities in the counting process.

The swearing-in ceremony is expected to be attended by prominent figures, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. The immediate next step will be the formation of the new government, with Adhikari expected to announce his cabinet soon.