Suvendu Adhikari to be sworn in as BJP's first Bengal CM, a tribute to Syama Prasad Mukherjee
Synopsis
West Bengal is witnessing a seismic political shift as Suvendu Adhikari prepares to be sworn in as the BJP's first-ever Chief Minister of the state — ending decades of Left and Trinamool Congress dominance and fulfilling a long-cherished ambition of the party that traces its roots to Syama Prasad Mukherjee's legacy in Bengal.
Key Takeaways
Suvendu Adhikari is set to be sworn in as the BJP's first Chief Minister of West Bengal at Brigade Parade Ground, Kolkata .
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan called it a true tribute to Syama Prasad Mukherjee , founder of the BJP's ideological predecessor.
Adhikari won both seats he contested — Nandigram and Bhabanipur — defeating Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur.
Home Minister Amit Shah formally announced Adhikari as BJP Legislature Party leader on Friday .
PM Narendra Modi , Amit Shah , BJP National President Nitin Nabin , and multiple NDA chief ministers are expected at the ceremony.
The BJP's win ended the long-standing rule of the Trinamool Congress in the state, days after results were declared on 4 May .
Suvendu Adhikari is set to be sworn in as the first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief Minister of West Bengal, marking a historic political shift in the state. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday, 9 May described the moment as a true tribute to Syama Prasad Mukherjee, the eminent barrister and former member of the Constituent Assembly of India who founded the BJP's ideological predecessor. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to be held at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata.
A Historic Day for Bengal
Speaking to reporters, Dharmendra Pradhan said,
Point of View
Burdened by industrial flight and a fractured law-and-order record. Adhikari inherits a state where the transition of power itself may face street-level resistance. Whether the BJP can convert a historic electoral mandate into durable administrative change will define not just Bengal's next five years, but the party's credibility as a pan-India governing force.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Suvendu Adhikari and why is his swearing-in historic?
Suvendu Adhikari is a senior BJP leader who is set to become the first-ever BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal. His swearing-in is historic because it ends decades of dominance by the Left Front and the Trinamool Congress in the state.
Where is the swearing-in ceremony being held?
The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to be held at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. It is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and NDA chief ministers from across the country.
How did Suvendu Adhikari perform in the West Bengal Assembly elections?
Adhikari won both Assembly seats he contested — Nandigram and Bhabanipur. Notably, he defeated Trinamool Congress supremo and outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur.
Who is Syama Prasad Mukherjee and why is he being invoked?
Syama Prasad Mukherjee was a prominent barrister and former member of the Constituent Assembly of India who founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the ideological predecessor of the BJP. He was from Bengal, making a BJP government in the state a symbolic fulfilment of his legacy.
When were the West Bengal Assembly election results declared?
The West Bengal Assembly election results were declared on 4 May, paving the way for BJP's government formation in the state days later.
