West Bengal is set to witness a major political transition on Saturday as BJP Legislative Party leader Suvendu Adhikari prepares to take oath as the state’s first BJP Chief Minister since Independence.
The BJP secured a sweeping mandate in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, winning 207 seats and ending the Trinamool Congress’ 15-year rule in the state. The TMC was reduced to 80 seats in what is being viewed as one of the biggest political upsets in recent Bengal history.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah formally announced Adhikari as the leader of the BJP Legislative Party after chairing a meeting in Kolkata on Friday.
“I announce the name of Suvendu Adhikari elected as Leader of West Bengal BJP Legislative Party,” Shah said.
Soon after the announcement, Adhikari met Governor R N Ravi and staked claim to form the government. Senior BJP leaders Dilip Ghosh, Locket Chatterjee and Tapas Roy accompanied him during the visit to Raj Bhavan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony in Kolkata along with Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, JP Nadda and Dharmendra Pradhan. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha have also arrived in the city for the event.
Speaking to reporters after being elected legislative party leader, Adhikari thanked the BJP leadership and said the party would fulfil the promises made during the election campaign.
“I express gratitude to the national president, to Amit Shah. With the blessings of the Prime Minister, I have been elected as the Leader of the Legislative Party. I have received support from all MLAs. There is democracy in the BJP. We will fulfil the commitment of the BJP made during elections for the organisation and the public,” Adhikari said.
BJP leader Agnimitra Paul described Adhikari as a “very apt” choice for the post, stating that he had worked tirelessly both inside and outside the Assembly over the last five years.
Adhikari emerged as one of the biggest winners of the 2026 Assembly elections after contesting from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur. In a symbolic victory, he defeated outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur by more than 15,000 votes, while retaining Nandigram as well.
Ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, Adhikari posted a message on X describing the occasion as the beginning of a “Sonar Bangla” era under a “double-engine” government.
A historic dawn for West Bengal indeed.
— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) May 9, 2026
It is a moment of profound pride and jubilation to welcome Visionary Leader Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji to the City of Joy.
Today, as we witness the Swearing-in-Ceremony of the first-ever BJP Government in West Bengal since… pic.twitter.com/XCuJxwPBw3
“A historic dawn for West Bengal indeed. It is a moment of profound pride and jubilation to welcome Visionary Leader Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji to the City of Joy. Today, as we witness the Swearing-in-Ceremony of the first-ever BJP Government in West Bengal since Independence, we fulfill the dreams of our founding fathers,” Adhikari wrote.
He further stated that the new government would focus on “development, peace, and prosperity”.
“Today marks the end of decades of misrule and the beginning of a ‘Double Engine’ era of development, peace, and prosperity. The era of ‘Sonar Bangla’ officially begins,” the post read.
The BJP’s victory marks the end of a long political cycle in Bengal, following 34 years of Left Front rule and 15 years of TMC governance. The election outcome has once again brought the slogan of “Poriborton” to the forefront of Bengal politics.
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