Suvendu Adhikari Sworn in as West Bengal’s First BJP Chief Minister
KOLKATA – In a historic political realignment, On 9 May, 2026 Suvendu Adhikari Sworn in as West Bengal’s First BJP Chief Minister. The swearing-in of Suvendu Adhikari marks the first time the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken the reins in the state, bringing an end to the 15-year tenure of the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Following the meeting, Adhikari, accompanied by state leaders including Dilip Ghosh and Locket Chatterjee, met Governor R.N. Ravi at Lok Bhavan to officially stake his claim to form the government. Governor R. N. Ravi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Suvendu Adhikari, who becomes the 9th Chief Minister of West Bengal.
The 2026 Mandate: A Landslide Victory
The 2026 Assembly elections have drastically altered the state’s political map.
| Party | Seats Won (2026) | Change from 2021 |
| BJP | 207 | +130 |
| TMC | 80 | -135 |
| Others/Left/INC | 7 | Variable |
“Bhoi [fear] is out, and as Narendra Modiji has said, bhorsa [faith] is in.” — Suvendu Adhikari, Chief Minister-designate.
Suvendu Adhikari: The Man of the Moment
Adhikari’s ascent to the top post follows a high-stakes campaign where he contested and won from two key constituencies: Nandigram and Bhabanipur.
- The Bhabanipur Giant-Kill: In a repeat of his 2021 performance, Adhikari defeated former CM Mamata Banerjee, this time in her home turf of Bhabanipur, by a margin of 15,115 votes.
- Political Roots: Hailing from Purba Medinipur, Adhikari was a central figure in the 2007 Nandigram land movement.
- The Transition: A former Cabinet Minister under the TMC (2016–2020), he defected to the BJP in late 2020 and served as the Leader of the Opposition for the last five years.
The “New Bengal” Agenda: Probes and Guarantees
Addressing the MLAs-elect, Adhikari outlined a stern roadmap for his administration, focusing on accountability and the fulfillment of campaign promises.
- Corruption Commission: A judicial commission headed by a retired judge will be formed to investigate all allegations of corruption from the previous regime.
- Safety for Women: Specific commissions will probe past atrocities against women, with a promise of swift punishment for the guilty.
- Modi Guarantees: Immediate implementation of the various social and economic “guarantees” promised by the Prime Minister during the campaign.
- Cultural Renaissance: A commitment to restoring West Bengal as the country’s cultural capital while instilling a sense of nationalism.
Swearing-In Ceremony Details
The oath-taking ceremony coincided with the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore.
- Venue: Brigade Parade Grounds, Kolkata.
- VIP Attendees: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and several Chief Ministers from NDA-ruled states.
- Public Participation: Large screens and seating arrangements are being prepared to accommodate the massive crowds expected to witness the transition.