Suvendu Adhikari sworn in as West Bengal's first BJP CM; Modi hugs, Yogi wraps saffron scarf
Synopsis
West Bengal scripted a political first on Saturday as Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the state's first-ever BJP Chief Minister at Brigade Parade Ground, Kolkata. With PM Modi offering a warm hug and Yogi Adityanath draping a saffron scarf, the ceremony was as much a national BJP statement as it was a state-level milestone.
Key Takeaways
Suvendu Adhikari sworn in as West Bengal's ninth Chief Minister and the first from the BJP on 9 May at Brigade Parade Ground, Kolkata .
PM Narendra Modi hugged Adhikari; CM Yogi Adityanath wrapped a saffron scarf around his neck.
Five ministers also sworn in: Dilip Ghosh , Agnimitra Paul , Nisith Pramanik , Ashok Kirtania , and Khudiram Tudu .
Khudiram Tudu read his oath in Santali (Ol Chiki script), reflecting the cabinet's tribal representation.
Departmental portfolios and full cabinet list are yet to be announced .
The new cabinet's first meeting is scheduled at the West Bengal state Assembly premises.
Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the ninth Chief Minister of West Bengal — and the first from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — on Saturday, 9 May, at a landmark ceremony held at Brigade Parade Ground in central Kolkata. The event drew lakhs of BJP supporters and a high-powered gathering of national leaders, marking a historic political shift in a state long dominated by the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
A Moment of Celebration on the Dais
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, visibly elated, gave Adhikari an affectionate hug shortly after the oath was administered. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath wrapped a saffron scarf around Adhikari's neck as a gesture of congratulation. The crowd at Brigade Parade Ground responded with loud applause as the new Chief Minister took his oath.
Adhikari participated in the ceremony dressed in a dhoti worn in the traditional Bengali style and a saffron-coloured kurta — a sartorial choice widely read as a nod to both Bengali cultural identity and the BJP's ideological colour.
Five Ministers Also Sworn In
Alongside Adhikari, five other members of the new council of ministers were sworn in on Saturday afternoon. They are:
Dilip Ghosh — former national vice-president and former state president of the BJP in West Bengal; Agnimitra Paul — fashion-designer-turned-politician and two-time BJP legislator; Nisith Pramanik — former BJP Lok Sabha member and former Union Minister of State for Home; Ashok Kirtania; and Khudiram Tudu.
While Adhikari, Ghosh, Paul, Kirtania, and Pramanik read their oath in Bengali, Tudu — who hails from a tribal background — read the same statement in Santali, his mother tongue, whose official indigenous script is known as Ol Chiki. Tudu also participated dressed in a traditional Santali ceremonial attire, drawing widespread appreciation from the audience.
Oath Administered by Governor R. N. Ravi
The oath ceremony was administered by West Bengal Governor R. N. Ravi in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Ministers from other BJP-ruled states, select Union Cabinet members, and several senior central BJP leaders. The gathering underscored the national significance the party attaches to its first-ever electoral victory in West Bengal.
What Happens Next
According to the schedule, Adhikari and his cabinet colleagues were set to proceed to the historic Writers' Buildings in central Kolkata following the ceremony, before moving to the nearby state Assembly. The first cabinet meeting of the new government is to be held within the Assembly premises. Departmental portfolios for the five newly sworn-in ministers are yet to be announced, and the full list of cabinet members also remains pending.
Point of View
Tudu reading his oath in Santali, and a dais packed with the full weight of the national leadership. Yet the harder test begins now. Governing a state with deep-rooted TMC networks, a complex bureaucracy, and a politically charged street will demand far more than a high-profile swearing-in. The pending portfolio announcements and the incomplete cabinet list suggest the new government is still negotiating its internal balance of power — a sign that the coalition of interests that delivered this victory has not yet been fully settled.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Suvendu Adhikari and why is his swearing-in historic?
Suvendu Adhikari is the ninth Chief Minister of West Bengal and the first to be sworn in from the BJP, marking the party's first-ever government in the state. He was sworn in on 9 May at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata.
Who administered the oath to Suvendu Adhikari?
West Bengal Governor R. N. Ravi administered the oath to Adhikari and the five other ministers. The ceremony was attended by PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Ministers from other BJP-ruled states.
Which ministers were sworn in alongside Suvendu Adhikari?
Five ministers were sworn in alongside Adhikari: Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Nisith Pramanik, Ashok Kirtania, and Khudiram Tudu. Their departmental portfolios are yet to be announced.
What is significant about Khudiram Tudu reading his oath in Santali?
Khudiram Tudu, who hails from a tribal background, read his oath in Santali — his mother tongue — using the Ol Chiki script, the official indigenous alphabet of the language. It was seen as a gesture of inclusion toward West Bengal's tribal communities.
What are the next steps for the new West Bengal government?
After the swearing-in, the new cabinet was scheduled to visit Writers' Buildings and then the state Assembly, where the first cabinet meeting is to be held. The full cabinet list and ministerial portfolios are still to be announced.
