Suvendu Adhikari Sworn In, BJP Opens New Bengal Era

• By Thetripurapost Desk, Kolkata
• May 09, 2026
• 543

Suvendu Adhikari scripted political history by becoming the first Chief Minister from Bharatiya Janata Party to assume office in West Bengal. He took the oath of office in Bengali in the name of God and later bowed before Prime Minister Narendra Modi by touching his feet.

The grand oath-taking ceremony witnessed the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah along with Chief Ministers from 20 NDA and BJP-governed states.

Before the swearing-in proceedings began, Prime Minister Modi paid floral tribute to Rabindranath Tagore on the occasion of his birth anniversary.

An emotional scene unfolded at the programme when Modi honoured veteran BJP worker Makhanlal Sarkar, aged 98. The Prime Minister personally walked up to Sarkar on stage, wrapped a shawl around him and then touched his feet as a gesture of respect. Sarkar responded by warmly embracing Modi for a long time.

Reports in the media suggest that four additional MLAs could also be sworn into the cabinet alongside Suvendu, though no official confirmation regarding their identities has yet been made.

Born in 1970 in Kontali village of East Medinipur, Suvendu displayed a deep spiritual mindset from an early age. Every Saturday, he regularly visited the Ramakrishna Mission and remained closely attached to religious activities.

His devotion was so intense during childhood that family members feared he might eventually renounce worldly life and become a monk. He would often donate whatever coins he possessed at home to the mission quietly and without hesitation.

Despite his spiritual leanings, Suvendu ultimately chose public life over monastic life. He decided to dedicate himself to politics and also remained unmarried.

His political journey began during his student days at Prabhat Kumar College in Kanthi in the late 1980s. Over the years, he steadily built a strong political base and emerged as a dominant leader in East Medinipur.