Suvendu Adhikari sworn in as Bengal's first BJP CM; PM Modi present, Mamata skips

In a landmark moment in the political history of West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday took oath as the state's first Bharatiya Janata Party chief minister at a grand ceremony held at Kolkata's Brigade Parade Ground.

The swearing-in marked the beginning of West Bengal's first BJP-led government since Independence, ending decades of dominance by regional and Left parties in the politically significant state.

The high-profile ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, several Union ministers and chief ministers from NDA-ruled states.

The development came a day after Amit Shah officially announced Suvendu Adhikari as the BJP legislature party leader during a meeting with newly elected BJP MLAs following the Assembly election results declared on May 4.

The BJP's victory in West Bengal is being viewed as one of the party's most significant political breakthroughs in eastern India, reshaping the state's political landscape.

During the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi greeted and sought the blessings of 98-year-old veteran BJP leader Makhanlal Sarkar. In a symbolic gesture, Modi presented him with a shawl and touched his feet on stage.

West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said Makhanlal Sarkar was associated with Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mukherjee and had accompanied him during his final journey to Kashmir.

Bhattacharya also recalled that Sarkar was once arrested by Delhi Police during the Congress era for singing a patriotic song but refused to apologise in court.

Makhanlal Sarkar remains one of the earliest grassroots figures associated with the nationalist movement in post-Independence India. In 1952, he was arrested in Kashmir while accompanying Syama Prasad Mukherjee during a movement linked to hoisting the Indian tricolour there.

After the BJP was formed in 1980, Sarkar served as organisational coordinator for West Dinajpur, Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling districts, helping expand the party's base in northern Bengal. He later served for seven consecutive years as district president.

Prime Minister Modi arrived at the venue alongside Suvendu Adhikari and Samik Bhattacharya and took part in an open-jeep roadshow around the Brigade Parade Ground, waving to thousands of BJP workers and supporters gathered for the event.

The venue was decorated in saffron colours, while cultural performances featuring traditional drums added to the celebratory atmosphere.

Following the oath-taking ceremony, Suvendu Adhikari visited Raj Bhavan and formally staked claim to form the new government before Governor R. N. Ravi.