Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the first Bharatiya Janata Party Chief Minister of West Bengal in Kolkata on Saturday in a grand ceremony that highlighted the party’s major political victory in the state. The swearing-in event saw the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and several Union ministers, along with chief ministers from BJP-ruled states.

Once considered “Mamata Banerjee's right-hand man”, Suvendu Adhikari’s rise to the top post marks a major political shift in Bengal. Dressed in a simple saffron kurta, he reflected a style that reminded many of Mamata Banerjee’s well-known appearance of a plain white saree and rubber slippers. Alongside him, Agnimitra Paul, Nisith Pramanik, Dilip Ghosh and Sankar Ghosh also took oath.

The presence of leaders from across BJP-ruled states reflected the importance of the Bengal victory for the party. The state holds strong historical value for the BJP as it is the birthplace of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the founder of the Jana Sangh, which later evolved into the BJP.

The BJP also carefully selected May 9 for the ceremony as the day marks Rabindra Jayanti, celebrated in honour of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The move was seen as an attempt by the BJP to counter the Trinamool Congress narrative that the “North Indian party” does not respect Bengal’s cultural identity and traditions.

The event at Brigade Parade Ground also included visible touches of Bengali culture. Around 20 stalls serving sweets and jhalmuri, one of Bengal’s most popular snacks, were arranged at the venue. The inclusion of jhalmuri drew attention after Prime Minister Modi had made a surprise stop during a rally in Jhargram in April to enjoy the snack.

The ceremony combined political symbolism with cultural messaging as BJP celebrated its historic victory in Bengal. The strong turnout of national leaders and the emphasis on Bengali traditions reflected the party’s effort to strengthen its connection with the people of the state.