As Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the first Bharatiya Janata Party Chief Minister of West Bengal on Saturday, attention shifted to former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, whose absence from public view since the Assembly election results has fuelled speculation over her whereabouts and why she didn't attend the historic ceremony.
There has been no official confirmation regarding Banerjee's current whereabouts, and she has largely stayed away from public appearances since the All India Trinamool Congress suffered a major defeat in the recently concluded Assembly elections.
Meanwhile, Banerjee's official handle on X (formerly Twitter) still prominently displays her designation as the "Honourable Chief Minister of West Bengal." This digital holdout comes even as Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrives in Kolkata to oversee the transition of power and the election of a new BJP legislature leader.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at Kolkata's Brigade Parade Ground, where Adhikari formally assumed office, marking the BJP's first government in Bengal since Independence.
Amid speculation over Banerjee's participation, West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said she had been invited to the ceremony as per protocol.
"Mamata Banerjee has been invited as per protocol," Bhattacharya told ANI, adding that the decision to attend rested entirely with her.
He described Adhikari's elevation as the fulfilment of "the dream of millions of BJP workers" and said the formation of the new government reflected the vision of Syama Prasad Mukherjee.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, several Union ministers and chief ministers from NDA-ruled states attended the high-profile event.
On Friday, Amit Shah formally announced Adhikari as the BJP legislature party leader after a meeting with newly elected MLAs following the Assembly election results declared on May 4. Adhikari emerged as the unanimous choice for the top post after the BJP secured a sweeping victory, ending the Trinamool Congress' 15-year rule in the state.
Adhikari had earlier earned the "giant-killer" tag in 2021 after defeating Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram. His latest victory over the veteran TMC leader has now paved the way for him to lead the BJP's first government in West Bengal.
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