Suvendu Adhikari sworn in as West Bengal CM; Modi bows to Jana Shakti
Synopsis
After 15-plus years of TMC dominance, West Bengal has a new Chief Minister. Suvendu Adhikari's swearing-in at Brigade Parade Grounds — with PM Modi bowing before the crowd and honouring a veteran party worker — was as much a political statement as a ceremony, signalling the BJP's intent to consolidate its historic 207-seat mandate.
Key Takeaways
Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the ninth Chief Minister of West Bengal at Brigade Parade Grounds, Kolkata on 9 May .
PM Modi attended the ceremony and publicly bowed before supporters, saying "I bow to the Jana Shakti of West Bengal!" in a post on X.
The BJP won 207 seats in the 294-seat West Bengal Assembly , ending over 15 years of TMC rule.
The TMC's tally collapsed from 215 seats in 2021 to 80 seats .
Union Home Minister Amit Shah , Defence Minister Rajnath Singh , and Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled states attended the ceremony.
Modi honoured senior BJP worker Makhanlal Sarkar with a shawl and sought his blessings.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, 9 May bowed before the people of West Bengal at the swearing-in ceremony of Suvendu Adhikari as the state's ninth Chief Minister, held at the iconic Brigade Parade Grounds in Kolkata. The event marked a historic political shift in the state after more than a decade and a half of All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) rule.
A Ceremonial Welcome at Brigade Parade Grounds
Upon arriving at the venue, PM Modi — accompanied by Chief Minister-designate Suvendu Adhikari and state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Samik Bhattacharya — took a ride in an open-air jeep, waving to thousands of BJP workers and supporters who had gathered at the ground. The entire Brigade Parade Grounds was draped in saffron, with a large number of artists performing to the beat of traditional drums, creating a festive atmosphere.
After the jeep ride, Modi proceeded to the main stage, where he greeted a host of dignitaries including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, several Union Ministers, and Chief Ministers of BJP-governed states.
Modi Honours Senior Party Worker
In a notable gesture, PM Modi personally greeted Makhanlal Sarkar, described as one of the most senior grassroots workers of the BJP in West Bengal, presented him with a shawl, and sought his blessings — a moment widely seen as an acknowledgement of the party's ground-level cadre that powered its electoral victory.
Modi's 'Jana Shakti' Message
From the stage, the Prime Minister waved to the assembled supporters and bowed before them, expressing gratitude for the massive mandate the people of West Bengal handed to the BJP. In a post on social media platform X, Modi wrote:
Point of View
The open-jeep procession, and the honouring of a veteran grassroots worker were all signals directed at West Bengal's electorate: that this BJP government sees itself as a product of the people, not just the party machine. The collapse of TMC from 215 to 80 seats is a seismic shift, but the harder test begins now — governing a state with a complex social fabric, a restive bureaucracy shaped by 15 years of TMC patronage, and an opposition that retains a significant vote share. Whether Adhikari can translate a historic mandate into governance credibility will define BJP's Bengal chapter far more than the spectacle of today's swearing-in.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new Chief Minister of West Bengal?
Suvendu Adhikari has been sworn in as the ninth Chief Minister of West Bengal. The ceremony was held at Brigade Parade Grounds in Kolkata on 9 May, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior BJP leaders.
How many seats did BJP win in the West Bengal Assembly elections?
The BJP won 207 seats in the 294-seat West Bengal Assembly, ending over 15 years of Trinamool Congress rule. The TMC's seat count fell sharply from 215 in the 2021 elections to 80.
What did PM Modi say at the swearing-in ceremony?
PM Modi bowed before the crowd at Brigade Parade Grounds and posted on X: "I bow to the Jana Shakti of West Bengal!" He also shared a video clip of the moment, thanking supporters for the BJP's massive mandate.
Who attended the swearing-in ceremony of Suvendu Adhikari?
The ceremony was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, several Union Ministers, and Chief Ministers of BJP-governed states, alongside thousands of BJP workers and supporters.
What is the political significance of this change in West Bengal?
This is the first change of government in West Bengal in over 15 years, ending TMC's dominance that began in 2011. The BJP's 207-seat win represents one of the most decisive mandates in the state's recent electoral history.
