Abhijit Ray | Kolkata:
In a historic political shift, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday took oath as the 9th Chief Minister of West Bengal, marking the end of the Trinamool Congress’ 15-year rule in the state. The swearing-in ceremony was held at Kolkata’s iconic Brigade Parade Ground in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP National President JP Nadda, and more than 20 NDA Chief Ministers.
In a first for West Bengal politics, the BJP also appointed two Deputy Chief Ministers — senior party leader Dilip Ghosh and BJP vice-president Agnimitra Paul — indicating a strategic balance between experienced organisational leadership and broader social outreach.
Governor R N Ravi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Suvendu Adhikari and the newly formed cabinet. The ceremony was held on May 9, coinciding with the 165th birth anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, adding symbolic significance to the occasion.
Suvendu Adhikari’s Historic Victory
Suvendu Adhikari, 55, emerged as the central figure of the BJP’s Bengal victory after defeating former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur by more than 15,000 votes while also retaining his traditional stronghold of Nandigram. Once a prominent Trinamool Congress leader, Adhikari joined the BJP in December 2020 and had been serving as the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly.
Addressing supporters after taking oath, Adhikari said,
“I dedicate this victory to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of Bengal. Our government will focus on restoring law and order, creating employment opportunities, and fulfilling the vision of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for a developed Bengal.”
Dilip Ghosh Becomes Deputy Chief Minister
The appointment of Dilip Ghosh as Deputy Chief Minister is being seen as recognition of his role in building the BJP’s organisational structure in West Bengal. Ghosh won the Kharagpur Sadar seat by over 30,000 votes, defeating TMC candidate Pradip Sarkar.
A former RSS pracharak, Ghosh served as the BJP’s West Bengal president from 2015 to 2021, a period during which the party significantly expanded its presence in the state. Under his leadership, BJP rose from just 3 MLAs to 77 seats in the 2021 Assembly elections and secured 18 Lok Sabha seats in 2019.
After taking oath, Ghosh said,
“We have struggled for many years. This government will work to fulfill the aspirations of the people and the dream of Syama Prasad Mookerjee.”
Agnimitra Paul Gets Key Role
BJP leader Agnimitra Paul was sworn in as the second Deputy Chief Minister. The Asansol Dakshin MLA won her seat by a margin of more than 40,000 votes. A fashion designer-turned-politician, Paul previously served as BJP Mahila Morcha chief and is considered one of the prominent women faces of the party in Bengal politics.
Her elevation is being viewed as part of BJP’s emphasis on “Nari Shakti” and strengthening representation from the Asansol industrial region.
BJP’s Massive Electoral Victory
The BJP secured a landslide victory by winning 207 out of 293 Assembly seats, while the Trinamool Congress was reduced to 80 seats. The election witnessed a record voter turnout of 92.47 percent, making it one of the highest in the state’s electoral history.
Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee did not attend the swearing-in ceremony. Although she has not formally resigned, the term of the Assembly ended on May 7, 2026.
Other ministers sworn into the cabinet included Nisith Pramanik, Ashok Kirtania, and Kshudiram Tudu. The allocation of portfolios is expected to be announced soon.
