WEST BENGAL TURNS SAFFRON
SUVENDU ADHIKARI TAKES OATH AS CHIEF MINISTER, FIVE OTHERS SWORN-IN
We will work with complete dedication to fulfill the aspirations of Ma, Mati, and Manush — Suvendu Adhikari, Chief Minister
Suvendu Adhikari (52) was sworn in as the West Bengal Chief Minister on Saturday, becoming the first leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to hold the post since India’s Independence. The grand ceremony held at historic Brigade Ground with thousands of boisterous party workers raising slogans marked the end of 15 years of Trinamool Congress (TMC) rule under Mamata Banerjee. For the people of West Bengal, the day marks not just a change of guard but the beginning of a new political era. It also signals a seismic shift in a State long dominated by regional parties.
The event unfolded five days after the BJP’s landslide victory in the Assembly elections, where the party secured 207 seats, comfortably crossing the majority mark and ending TMC’s long-standing grip on power. Adhikari, who was unanimously elected leader of the BJP Legislature Party, took the oath of office and secrecy first, administered by Governor RN Ravi. He was followed by senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh and four other legislators: Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Kshudiram Tudu and Nisith Pramanik, who were inducted as ministers in the first cabinet of the new Government.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by a galaxy of national and state leaders, underscoring the importance the BJP central leadership attaches to its maiden Government in Bengal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Ministers of several BJP-ruled states, Union ministers and senior party functionaries flew in to witness the historic transition. The presence of top leaders turned the occasion into a grand political spectacle, with thousands of supporters gathering outside the venue, waving saffron flags and chanting slogans of “Jai Shri Ram”.
Adhikari has emerged as the face of the BJP’s aggressive and high-decibel campaign that focused on issues of development, anti-incumbency against the TMC regime and promises of Double-Engine governance. He won convincingly from both the Bhabanipur and Nandigram constituencies, a rare feat that highlighted his personal popularity and organisational reach.
A heavyweight in West Bengal politics, Adhikari had been the Leader of Opposition in the outgoing Assembly and played a pivotal role in expanding the BJP’s footprint in rural and semi-urban Bengal.
In his brief address after taking the oath, Adhikari thanked Prime Minister Modi and the party high command for their support. “This is not just a victory for the BJP but for the people of Bengal who voted for change,” he said. “We will work with complete dedication to fulfill the aspirations of Ma, Mati, and Manush.”
He announced that the new Government would prioritise industrial revival, law and order, and welfare schemes for farmers and women.
The maiden cabinet reflects a blend of veteran leaders and rising stars drawn from diverse regions and social sections of the state, signalling the BJP’s intent to build a broad-based team. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who secured victories in both Bhabanipur and Nandigram, is the central figure. A seasoned politician with deep roots in East Midnapore, he is expected to provide decisive leadership for the people of West Bengal.
Dilip Ghosh, former state unit president of the BJP and a prominent grassroots organiser, brings decades of party-building experience. Known for his strong connection with the party’s ideological base and rural Bengal, Ghosh was a key architect of the BJP’s expansion in the State.
Agnimitra Paul, a senior leader of the BJP’s women’s wing and a former popular Bengali actress, adds a dynamic presence focused on women’s empowerment and cultural outreach. Her inclusion underscores the party’s emphasis on engaging urban and youth voters.
Ashok Kirtania, an influential OBC voice from the northern districts, strengthens the representation of backward classes and strengthens the government’s outreach in the Dooars and Terai regions.
Kshudiram Tudu, hailing from the tribal heartland of Jangalmahal, symbolises the BJP’s growing engagement with Scheduled Tribe communities and issues concerning forest dwellers and rural development.
Nisith Pramanik, the young and energetic leader from Cooch Behar who previously served as a Union Minister of State, injects administrative experience and ensures seamless coordination between the State and Central Governments.
The compact six-member cabinet is seen as a strategic starting point, allowing the new government to move swiftly on key priorities while leaving space for future expansion. The Assembly is expected to witness the Government proving its majority within the next 10 days.
For Bengal, the day marks not just a change of guard but the beginning of a new political era. Whether the BJP can translate its electoral triumph into stable and inclusive governance remains the central question as Suvendu Adhikari begins his innings as Chief Minister.
Political observers note that the compact initial cabinet of six members is a deliberate move by the BJP to ensure tight control in the early days while leaving room for expansion. The Government is expected to prove its majority on the floor of the Assembly within the next 10 days.
