Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the Chief Minister of West Bengal on Saturday, 10 May, marking the formation of the first-ever Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state. Senior BJP leader and Bihar Minister Dilip Kumar Jaiswal described the development as a "historic moment", asserting that Bengal had finally broken free from decades of political and developmental decline under successive regimes.

The Oath Ceremony

Suvendu Adhikari was the first to take the oath as Chief Minister, followed by five other members of the state Council of Ministers. The ministers sworn in included former BJP state president Dilip Ghosh, fashion designer-turned-politician and BJP legislator Agnimitra Paul, former Union Minister of State for Home Nisith Pramanik, and Ashok Kirtania and Khudiram Tudu. The ceremony was held in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

What BJP Leaders Said

Jaiswal, speaking to reporters on Sunday, said the new dispensation would work toward fulfilling the dream of a "Viksit Bengal" under a double-engine government — with the BJP in power both at the Centre and in the state. "Yesterday was a very historic day for Bengal. In the presence of the world's most popular leader and India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and with the blessings of the people, Suvendu Adhikari took charge as Chief Minister of Bengal," Jaiswal said.

He further alleged that successive governments — led by the Communist parties, the Indian National Congress, and the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) — had pushed the state backwards over the last several decades. "The way the Trinamool Congress and, I would say, over the past 70 years, the Communist parties, Congress and Trinamool Congress have pushed Bengal backwards and destroyed development there, Bengal has now got freedom from such people," he added.

Rebuilding Bengal: New Government's Priorities

Newly inducted minister Dilip Ghosh echoed similar sentiments, stating that rebuilding the state would be the government's top priority. "The priority is to rebuild Bengal in a new way, as many systems have deteriorated. Law and order is weak, and people have been living in fear for many years. Education is not in good condition, the health system has declined, and there is very little industry or employment," Ghosh said.

How BJP Won West Bengal

In the recently concluded Assembly elections, the BJP secured major victories in constituencies dominated by Matua and tribal voters, contributing significantly to the party's historic win in the state. The result ends decades of dominance by the Left and, more recently, the TMC in West Bengal's political landscape — a state long considered a stronghold of opposition politics.

With a double-engine government now in place, the BJP's performance in West Bengal will be closely watched as a test of whether its development model can be replicated in a state with a distinct political and cultural identity.