Suvendu Adhikari sworn in as West Bengal’s first BJP chief minister; PM Modi, Amit Shah attend ceremony

BJP legislature party leader Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the chief minister of West Bengal on Saturday heading the first BJP government in the stateGovernor RN Ravi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Adhikari at a grand ceremony held at the Brigade Parade GroundsThe swearingin ceremony held in Kolkata was attended by several senior BJP leaders and chief ministers from BJPruled states reflecting the significance of the partyrsquos breakthrough in the eastern statePrime Minister Narendra Modi Union Home Minister Amit Shah Defence Minister Rajnath Singh BJP president JP Nadda and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan were among the prominent leaders present during the oathtaking ceremonyChief Ministers including Himanta Biswa Sarma Manik Saha Rekha Gupta and Pushkar Singh Dhami also attended the event and congratulated Adhikari on the BJPrsquos landmark electoral victory in West BengalSuvendu Adhikari Wins Bhabanipur And NandigramThe BJP Legislature Party had earlier unanimously elected Suvendu Adhikari as its leader following the partyrsquos decisive mandate in the Assembly elections Adhikari emerged as one of the biggest winners of the election securing victories from both Bhabanipur and Nandigram two of the most closely watched constituencies in the stateAccording to Election Commission data Adhikari defeated outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur by a margin of 15105 votes after the final round of counting In Nandigram Adhikari secured 127301 votes further strengthening his position as the BJPrsquos leading face in the stateBJP Ends TMCrsquos 15Year Rule In West BengalThe 2026 West Bengal Assembly election results marked a major political shift in the state The BJP won 207 seats in the 294member Assembly comfortably crossing the majority mark and ending the Trinamool Congressrsquo 15year rule in West Bengal The TMC managed to secure only 80 seats recording one of its weakest performances since coming to power in 2011Political observers have described the BJPrsquos victory as one of the most significant electoral gains for the party in eastern India With Suvendu Adhikari now taking charge as Chief Minister attention will shift toward the BJP governmentrsquos policy direction and its efforts to consolidate support in a state long dominated by the Trinamool CongressRecord Voter Turnout Reflects High Public ParticipationThe elections also witnessed recordbreaking voter participation across the state West Bengal reported one of its highestever voter turnouts since Independence with Phase II recording 9166 per cent polling Combined voter turnout across the first two phases stood at an impressive 9247 per cent reflecting high public engagement in the fiercely contested electionThe high turnout and dramatic change in political leadership have made the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections one of the most closely followed state elections in recent years with the BJP now preparing to form its firstever government in the state