Once a close aide of Mamata Banerjee, Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as Chief Minister of West Bengal, marking a historic milestone for the Bharatiya Janata Party in the state. The ceremony was held in the presence of Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and several Union ministers, underscoring the political weight of the victory.

Adhikari opted for a simple saffron kurta during the oath-taking, a sartorial choice seen by many as symbolic. He was joined by cabinet colleagues including Agnimitra Paul, Nisith Pramanik, Dilip Ghosh, Ashok Kirtania, and Kshudiram Tudu.

Cultural Symbolism and Political Messaging

The BJP ensured that the event carried strong cultural undertones. The swearing-in took place on May 9, observed as Rabindra Jayanti — the birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The date selection was widely viewed as a nod to Bengal’s literary heritage and an attempt to counter criticism that the party does not align with the state’s cultural ethos.

The venue featured stalls serving traditional Bengali favourites such as sweets and jhalmuri, adding a local flavour to the celebrations. The snack gained attention earlier when the Prime Minister made an impromptu stop to sample it during an election rally.

Before the ceremony, Modi greeted 98-year-old party veteran Makhanlal Sarkar, one of the BJP’s oldest grassroots workers in Bengal. Sarkar had once accompanied Syama Prasad Mookerjee during a protest movement in the early 1950s and was arrested during that period.

Cabinet Reflects Social Coalition Strategy

The composition of Adhikari’s cabinet indicates the BJP’s effort to balance social representation.

While Adhikari himself is a Brahmin, Dilip Ghosh is seen as a key OBC leader and was instrumental in expanding the party’s organisational base across the state. Agnimitra Paul, a fashion designer by profession, represents the Kayastha community and is currently the only woman in the Cabinet.

Ashok Kirtania hails from the Matua community, a significant Scheduled Caste group in Bengal that has emerged as an important support base for the BJP. The implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act was widely regarded as influential in consolidating Matua backing for the party.

Nisith Pramanik represents the Rajbongshi community, a major Scheduled Caste group with strong influence in districts such as Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, and Darjeeling. His political shift to the BJP is believed to have strengthened the party’s prospects in North Bengal.

Kshudiram Tudu, from the tribal community, reflects the BJP’s gains in Adivasi-dominated constituencies. The party’s sweep of all 16 Scheduled Tribe-reserved seats highlights its growing footprint in regions like Jangalmahal and other tribal belts that were previously seen as strongholds of the Trinamool Congress.

With this swearing-in, West Bengal enters a new political chapter under BJP leadership, marking a significant realignment in the state’s long-standing political narrative.