The Hindu reports: Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal on Saturday (May 9, 2026). Adhikari was sworn in by Governor R.N. Ravi, along with five other MLAs, who will join the Council of Ministers: Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Kshudiram Tudu, and Nisith Pramanik The swearing in ceremony was attended by PM Modi, along with top brass of NDA, including Ministers from the Central Government and Chief Minsters of other States.
Adhikari (57) contested and won from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur in the recently concluded Assembly election. He had defeated former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur by a margin of 15,115 votes. Also read: BJP’s victory in Bengal will plug a big hole in national security, says Amit Shah Since the election results were announced on Monday (May 4, 2026), instances of post-poll violence erupted across Bengal.
Background
On Wednesday (May 6, 2026), BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s personal assistant was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the Madhyamgram area in the State’s North 24 Parganas district. Prime Minister’s 19 rallies, Home Minister’s ubiquitous presence reassured BJP voters they would not be abandoned as in 2021; mending of fractures in the State unit, Central Ministers’ support paid off in big win for the BJP in Bengal. Explore how the BJP's strategic rallies and organizational unity led to their historic win in West Bengal's elections.
Key facts
- Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal on Saturday (May 9, 2026).
- Adhikari (57) contested and won from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur in the recently concluded Assembly election.
- He had defeated former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur by a margin of 15,115 votes.
- On Wednesday (May 6, 2026), BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s personal assistant was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the Madhyamgram area in the State’s North 24 Parganas district.
- Explore how the BJP's strategic rallies and organizational unity led to their historic win in West Bengal's elections.
What this means
West Bengal was for decades an unfinished project for the party, as Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the founder of the Jana Sangha — the predecessor of BJP, hailed from the State and played a significant part in setting up the tone of Hindutva politics in pre- Independent India. BJP's West Bengal victory marks a significant ideological shift, ending Trinamool Congress's long-standing power and reshaping regional politics The six-member Cabinet, sworn in today, reflects the BJP’s attempt at social and regional balancing ahead of the challenges of governing a politically polarised State. Dilip Ghosh won from Kharagpur Sadar, Agnimitra Paul from Asansol Dakshin, Ashok Kirtania from Bangaon Uttar, Kshudiram Tudu from Ranibandh and Nisith Pramanik from Mathabhanga in Cooch Behar district.
Adhikari won from both Bhabanipur and Nandigram constituencies The portfolios of the Ministers are yet to be announced. The names of other MLAs, who will take the oath as Ministers, will be announced later. Following the swearing in of BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari as the Chief Minister of West Bengal, TMC MP and nephew of Mamata Banerjee said the party will continue to stand firmly with the people of West Bengal “We have fought an extremely difficult election where nearly 30 lakh genuine voters were allegedly disenfranchised from the electoral rolls.
Originally reported by The Hindu. This story has been edited and re-presented by BRIC Team.
