West Bengal’s political landscape witnessed a watershed moment on Saturday as Suvendu Addhikari took oath as the state’s first Chief Minister from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), following the party’s emphatic victory in the recently held Assembly Polls 2026. The saffron party halted the Trinamool Congress’ (TMC) 15 years of rule in the state, which was led by Mamata Banerjee.

Adhikari’s ascent to the post of the state’s top leader carries both political and personal significance. He was once a close aide to Mamata Banerjee, and now occupies the very office she held for more than a decade.

Adhikari a former key strategist at TMC

Adhikari’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Earlier, he was attached to the TMC, and was regarded as a key strategist within the party. He played a key role in strengthening the party’s grassroots presence. However, he switched to the BJP in 2020, culminating in a meteoric rise that has now seen him assume the state’s highest office.

He, post-BJP switch, built a strong reputation in constituencies such as Nandigram and Bhabanipur, where his influence among voters proved decisive.

Oath-taking ceremony held at Brigade Parade Ground

The ceremony held at Kolkata’s iconic Brigade Parade Ground saw the presence of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, shedding light on the national significance of the BJP’s breakthrough in Bengal.

Governor RN Ravi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Adhikari, as well as his newly-inducted council of ministers. Notably, the ceremony coincided with the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, adding cultural resonance to the historic occasion.

Names of key figures sworn in

Adhikari’s initial cabinet reflects a curated mix of leaders representing various communities and regions. The key figures who were sworn in include Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Kshudiram Tudu and Nishith Pramanik.

The leaders hail from diverse social backgrounds such as OBC, tribal, Matua and Rajbonshi communities. The strategy is being viewed as central to the party’s electoral success in the state.