A day before the swearing-in ceremony of the new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal, senior party leaders on Friday, 8 May declared the moment a "second freedom" for the state, drawing a parallel with India's Independence from British rule. The leaders expressed confidence that West Bengal would now enter a new era of development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.

Adhikari Set to Become Bengal's First BJP Chief Minister

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari is set to be sworn in as West Bengal's first-ever BJP Chief Minister on Saturday, 9 May. The swearing-in ceremony has been described by multiple party leaders as a "historic" occasion, marking the end of decades of rule by the Indian National Congress (Congress), the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the state.

Key Statements from BJP Leaders

BJP MP Raju Bista said: "This moment is even more important because the country has seen one freedom but West Bengal has seen two freedoms. One from the British, and the second freedom from the Congress, CPM, and Trinamool Congress." He added that the people of West Bengal want to move forward on the path of development, walking step by step with the country.

BJP MP Jyotirmay Singh Mahato took a sharp dig at the outgoing TMC, saying the party should "go on a tour." He claimed that TMC had governed the state in the interest of "people of only one community" and asserted that the incoming government would be run on the principles of 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas'.

Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said it is "significant" for the party to form a government in West Bengal, alleging that the state had long been deprived of development and was instead associated with exploitation and intrusion. "Now we will witness an all-around development under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi," he said.

Women's Representation and 'Sonar Bangla' Vision

BJP leader Debasree Chaudhuri highlighted the party's emphasis on women's representation, noting that candidates were fielded from every section of society — including homemakers, survivors of abuse, and women from other occupations. BJP MLA-elect Agnimitra Paul echoed this sentiment: "Our dream is to have a 'Sonar Bangla'. Our responsibility has increased for all our voters, especially women, who have supported us."

Reactions from Other BJP-Ruled States

Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari extended her best wishes, saying: "The 'goonda raj', atrocities, and politics of appeasement that have been going on in Bengal will now come to an end." Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak alleged that leaders of the INDIA bloc — including the Samajwadi Party, TMC, and Congress — were "completely disappointed and frustrated." He asserted that West Bengal would now move towards development under Prime Minister Modi's leadership.

With the swearing-in scheduled for Saturday, all eyes will be on how the new BJP government in West Bengal translates its electoral mandate into governance — and whether it can deliver on the sweeping promises made by its leaders ahead of the ceremony.