Kolkata, May 9: West Bengal got its first BJP Chief Minister after Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the state’s CM at a grand ceremony held at the Brigade Parade Ground here on Saturday, with Governor RN Ravi administering the oath.

This historic moment marked the end of Mamata Banerjee’s 15-year tenure, making Adhikari the ninth Chief Minister of the state.

The event coincided with the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, adding cultural significance to the occasion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, several Union Cabinet members, CMs of NDA-led states and BJP leaders from across the country attended the ceremony, underscoring its national importance.

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Adhikari’s political journey has been pivotal in Bengal’s recent history. Once a close aide of Mamata Banerjee, he played a decisive role in the Nandigram movement that toppled the Left Front’s 24-year rule and ushered in the Trinamool Congress government.

However, differences with Banerjee led him to join the BJP in 2021, where he spearheaded the party’s campaign against his former mentor.

In his first address as Chief Minister, Adhikari emphasized “collective leadership,” promising to share responsibilities with his Cabinet rather than centralizing power.

Among those who took oath were Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtanya, Kshudiram Tudu, and Nisith Pramanik.

Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee’s social media profiles continue to reflect her former designation, raising many eyebrows.

Election Overview

The BJP achieved a sweeping victory in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, securing 207 seats and ending the Trinamool Congress’ 15-year rule. The TMC managed to win 80 seats.

What made this election even more remarkable was the record-breaking voter participation. West Bengal registered its highest-ever turnout since independence, with Phase I recording 93.19% and Phase II 91.66%. Together, the two phases brought the overall polling percentage to an unprecedented 92.47%.