Suvendu Adhikari sworn in as Bengal CM: Bihar's Samrat Choudhary hails historic BJP first
Synopsis
West Bengal's first-ever BJP government was sworn in on 9 May 2026, with Suvendu Adhikari taking oath as Chief Minister at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary, who attended, called it a historic milestone — a political breakthrough decades in the making for the BJP in a state it long struggled to crack.
Key Takeaways
Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as West Bengal's Chief Minister on 9 May 2026 at Brigade Parade Ground, Kolkata .
This marks the first-ever BJP government in West Bengal.
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary attended the ceremony and called it a historic milestone.
The swearing-in coincided with Pochishe Boishakh , the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore .
New ministers sworn in alongside Adhikari include Dilip Ghosh , Ashok Kirtaniya , Ksudiram Tudu , and Nitish Pramanik .
Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as West Bengal's Chief Minister on 9 May 2026 at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, marking the first-ever Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state. Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who attended the ceremony, called the occasion a historic milestone in the BJP's political journey.
Choudhary Attends the Kolkata Swearing-In
Samrat Choudhary travelled to Kolkata to witness the swearing-in, where he interacted with party workers and leaders from across the country. He described the gathering as a reflection of the BJP's growing organisational strength, public trust, and nationalist sentiment.
Congratulating Adhikari, Choudhary expressed confidence that the new government would deliver progress and good governance.
Point of View
With its entrenched political culture and history of street-level contestation, is another matter entirely. The invocation of Tagore at the event was a deliberate cultural signal, an attempt to frame the BJP as Bengal's own rather than an outsider force. Whether Modi's welfare delivery promise translates into ground-level change — or remains a talking point — will define this government's credibility far more than any ceremonial milestone.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Suvendu Adhikari and why is his swearing-in historic?
Suvendu Adhikari is a senior BJP leader who was sworn in as West Bengal's Chief Minister on 9 May 2026, marking the first-ever BJP government in the state. The development is considered a historic political milestone for the party, which had long struggled to gain power in West Bengal.
Where was the swearing-in ceremony held?
The swearing-in ceremony was held at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata on 9 May 2026. The venue is one of the most prominent public grounds in the city and has historically been used for large political gatherings.
Why did Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary attend the ceremony?
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary attended the swearing-in as a show of solidarity within the BJP's national leadership. He described the occasion as a historic milestone and interacted with party workers and leaders from across the country at the event.
What is the significance of the ceremony being held on Pochishe Boishakh?
Pochishe Boishakh is the birth anniversary of Nobel laureate and poet Rabindranath Tagore, a towering figure in Bengali cultural identity. Holding the swearing-in on this date was widely seen as a symbolic gesture by the BJP to connect its governance with Bengal's cultural heritage.
Which leaders were sworn in as ministers alongside Suvendu Adhikari?
Several BJP leaders were sworn in as ministers alongside Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, including Dilip Ghosh, Ashok Kirtaniya, Ksudiram Tudu, and Nitish Pramanik, among others.
